Three Relievers Red Sox Can Pursue With Bullpen Market Alive
The Boston Red Sox still need a right-handed bat and remain interested in adding another impact reliever.
Boston has two new starting pitchers, Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler, but a bullpen that relies on health and upside could use another solid leverage option. That market took the longest to develop this winter, but arms are finally leaving the market.
Tanner Scott, Jeff Hoffman, A.J. Minter, Chris Martin and Paul Sewald all signed with new teams this month. The reliever population on the market thinned, though the Red Sox can still find production among the remaining free agents.
Here are three names the Red Sox should consider who are still available.
David Robertson
Who hasn’t Robertson played for at this point?
The veteran has a 2.91 ERA in 16 MLB seasons with eight different teams. Robertson most recently posted a 3.00 ERA in 68 appearances with the Texas Rangers. He struck out over 12 batters per nine innings, one of his best career marks.
The Red Sox fared well with adults anchoring the bullpen with the steady work of Chris Martin and Kenley Jansen over the last two seasons. Robertson would be a trustworthy option for 2025.
Kirby Yates
Yates is another veteran in his late 30s who found another jolt in the Texas bullpen last season.
The right-hander was sensational to the tune of a 1.17 ERA in 50 outings in his age-37 season. He earned his second career All-Star selection and his first since 2019. It’s another experienced righty that could pair well with late-inning options for the Red Sox in Liam Hendriks, Justin Slaten and Aroldis Chapman.
Carlos Estévez
Estévez comes from a battle-tested Philadelphia Phillies bullpen that racked up postseason innings in recent years.
Estévez came over from the Los Angeles Angels at the 2024 trade deadline and posted a 2.57 ERA for the Phillies down the stretch. He’s a free agent after the best season of his career.