Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow stated on the most recent episode of the “Baseball isn’t Boring” podcast that the front office may take action after the opt-out date.
Players having opt-out clauses in their contracts had the option to cancel their contracts on March 23 if they did not make the big league roster of the club to which they were contracted. The Pirates let pitcher Chase Anderson walk, and the Red Sox signed him later that day.
Boston signed Anderson to a one-year, $1.25 million contract with the option to add $500K in performance bonuses. Lucas Giolito was moved to the 60-day injured list to make way for Anderson on the 40-man roster.
Anderson will most likely be a long reliever for the Sox, but he has the ability to start if necessary. He joins Josh Winckowski in the ‘pen as one of Boston’s more capable long relievers, and both can make spot starts if necessary.
Anderson is a 10-year MLB journeyman who has been through several teams since 2020. He began his career with the Diamondbacks and Brewers, but he has battled to stay consistent since then.
Since 2020, the right-hander has made 52 appearances with the Blue Jays, Phillies, Reds, Rays, and Rockies, posting a 6.19 ERA in 192 innings. He threw 160 strikeouts in those innings and discovered a strategy to reduce hard contact in 2023 with Colorado. Fans must question if Anderson may slot into the rotation if Tanner Houck or Garrett Whitlock are unable to stay as starters. That would imply that the Sox are hedging their chances with a low-cost option in Anderson.
With Opening Day just a few days away, Red Sox manager Alex Cora reminded reporters that the pitching staff is still in flux. He anticipates the staff to be determined during Boston’s exhibition series against the reigning World Series champion Rangers on March 25 and 26. Without Cooper Criswell on the Major League roster, Anderson appears to be a lock for a long-relief role.
Following Breslow’s recent statements on the “Baseball isn’t Boring” podcast, Sox fans can still expect further action from the organization. As more teams set their Opening Day rosters and more players are released, a fresh wave of talent emerges for the open market.
They won’t be the moves Boston supporters have been yearning for all offseason — if they sign Jordan Montgomery, that will be a different story — but anything would help the Red Sox pitching staff right now.
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