Three Under-The-Radar Moves Red Sox Still Can Consider This Offseason
The Boston Red Sox already addressed some legitimate needs this offseason, headlined by the acquisitions of starting pitchers Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler.
Boston still remains in position to make another splash for a right-handed bat or an elite reliever to help out the back of the bullpen. While those discussions carry on, there’s plenty of other-tier options, particularly for the bullpen, to help the Red Sox fill out the roster.
The Red Sox know how valuable depth will be in the upcoming season as short-handed second-half struggles sunk the last three seasons. Adding meaningful pieces to the roster, maybe not even the flashiest names, will complement the star players who already made their way to Boston this offseason.
With that, here are three under-the-radar moves the Red Sox can consider with the calendar flipped to 2025.
A.J. Minter
The Red Sox already signed two left-handed relievers in Aroldis Chapman and Justin Wilson, but it can’t hurt to add another battle-tested arm who has a history of production in big moments.
Minter won a championship with the Atlanta Braves in 2021 and served as one of the franchise’s more consistent relievers in his tenure. The lefty posted a sub-3.00 ERA in two of the past three years while striking out over 10 batters per nine innings on multiple occasions in the same stretch.
The Red Sox need arms that get people out in big spots if they’re truly bound for a postseason run. Minter owns a 2.88 ERA in 25 career postseason innings. That fits the need.
Elías Díaz
The Red Sox traded their catcher of the future in prospect Kyle Teel in the deal that landed Crochet. Connor Wong remains the starter at the MLB level and Carlos Narvaez joined the organization in recent weeks.
If Boston wants another candidate to fight for the backup catcher spot at the MLB level, Díaz could be an option. He’s another right-handed bat as well who has some pop, averaging just under 16 home runs per season over the last three campaigns. That could continue with the Green Monster to aim for with the Red Sox.
Chris Martin
Martin and Kenley Jansen held down the back of the bullpen with true veteran presence over the last two seasons. Both are free agents and who’s to say the Red Sox can’t bring one back?
Martin feels like the far likelier reunion. He took a step back after a dominant 2023 season that earned him a Cy Young vote. Yes, he’s deep in his 30s but still throws plenty of strikes and can mentor capable arms to be an adult in the Red Sox bullpen.
It may not dominate headlines, but Martin could still give the Red Sox value in 2025.