Red Sox sign Garrett Whitlock to a four-year contract extension
The Red Sox have signed right-hander Garrett Whitlock to a four-year, $18.75 million contract extension. The deal can escalate to an six-year, $44.25 million deal, per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.
The deal also includes a 2027 option is $8.25M with $1M buyout. 2028 option is $10.5M with $500k buyout. Options can escalate by up to $2.5M each per year.
The 25-year-old Whitlock had an outstanding rookie campaign last season. The former Rule 5 draft pick posted a 1.96 ERA in 73 ⅓ innings over 46 appearances.
Prior to the start of the season, it was announced Whitlock would pitch out of the bullpen to start the season. Whitlock stated to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo that he’d be the janitor to make the team.
“They both have their benefits,” Whitlock said. “The routine of starting is really nice, but at the same time, being able to have that workhorse mentality of a reliever is also something I really love, too. I do whatever they tell me to do. ... I’ll be the janitor on this team if it means I get to stay in the big leagues.”
Whitlock provides manager Alex Cora the ability to go from his starter to Whitlock, who could then pitch a few innings in a bulk role and bridge it to the eventually closer.
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