Veteran right-handed pitcher could be an option for the Red Sox in 2024
The Red Sox still have work to do in order to address the pitching staff ahead of spring training in a few weeks.
Boston has added only two pitchers through free agency in Lucas Giolito and Cooper Criswell. At this point in the offseason, the Red Sox could pay the big asking price and land Jordan Montgomery or Blake Snell, but that seems less likely based off Sam Kennedy’s comments on payroll possibly being lower in 2024.
If the Red Sox are going to make additions, one route they could take is adding back of the rotation type arms to continue to add depth for the rotation and bullpen.
Former San Francisco Giants right-hander Jakob Junis is one pitcher that chief baseball officer Craig Breslow could sign due to his link with pitching coach Andrew Bailey.
Junis’ brother Noah Junis was recently hired by the Red Sox and will be the Worcester Red Sox bullpen coach next season.
Junis pitched the last two seasons for the Giants, under Bailey and posted a 3.87 ERA with 96 strikeouts and 21 walks in 2023. His 109 ERA+ was the best of his career due to an uptick in chase, whiff and strikeout rates, per Baseball Savant.
Junis ended the first month of the 2023 season with a 6.06 ERA but once the calendar flipped to June, he posted a 3.36 ERA in 33 appearances over 69 2/3 frames.
The Arkansas native offers a four-pitch mix, relying heavily on his slider and sinker, he also mixes in a changeup and four-seam heater.
He threw the slider 62.5% of the time to opposing hitters while holding them to a .216 batting average and inducing a 32.5% whiff rate.
The 31-year-old spent time in the Giants bullpen last season and would serve as a strong bulk innings reliever. If the Red Sox turn Josh Winckowski into a starter next season, Junis, Garrett Whitlock and Tanner Houck could be three different options to replace the right-handers production in the bullpen.
Adding Junis to the bullpen with veteran hurlers John Schreiber and Chris Martin could make it easier to trade Kenley Jansen for additional young pitchers to develop in the system.
MLB Trade Rumors predicted Junis would land a two-year, $15 million deal in free agency. With spring training rapidly approaching, the Red Sox could get Junis on a more cost affordable deal.
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