Red Sox sign veteran reliever to minor league deal; last pitched for Boston in 2021
The Red Sox signed right-handed reliever Adam Ottavino to a minor league deal that includes an invite to spring training, per Jon Heyman.
Ottavino will earn $2 million base salary if he makes the Red Sox roster, per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.
The righty pitched the last three seasons with the Mets, owning a 9-12 record with a 3.14 ERA while recording 16 saves in 183 1/3 innings.
Ottavino was traded from the Yankees to the Red Sox prior to the 2021 season. Boston also acquired minor league pitcher Franklin German in the deal. He came to Boston with just one year on his contract, pitching in 69 games, the most out of any reliever for the the Sox, posting a 7-3 record and a 4.21 ERA. He also recorded 11 saves for the Sox’, which at the time was a career high.
He pitched one shutout inning for the Red Sox during the ALDS against the Rays that postseason and then made four appearances in the ALCS against the Astros. Ottavino gave up just one run in three innings of work against Houston.
Boston has been looking to add more depth to the bullpen over the last few months. Ottavino’s veteran presence and experience could help him slot into the role that Chris Martin held the last two seasons. He will have stiff competition for a bullpen spot with veterans Liam Hendriks and Aroldis Chapman locked in. Boston also has left-hander Justin Wilson, Zack Kelly, Justin Slaten, Garrett Whitlock, Josh Winckowski, and Luis Guerrero battling for a spot in the bullpen.
Others that will compete for a spot in the bullpen but are more likely to begin the year with the WooSox are Greg Weissert, Brennan Bernardino, Austin Adams, Isaiah Campbell, Noah Davis, Wyatt Mills, Bryan Mata, and Jovani Moran.
This will mark the second time Ottavino will suit up for the Red Sox, providing he makes the roster out of camp. With the addition of Ottavino, the Red Sox now have the last two players who have worn the No. 0 in camp, Walker Buehler will wear that number this season.
I've been looking for one more established, veteran, reliever. Thought it might be David Robertson, but Ottavino will work. If Ottavino makes the team, that means all of the young guys will be back in Triple A. The Triple A staff could very well be better than the Colorado Rockies staff in its entirety or even just the relievers. Very interesting move, for srue