In their first move of the offseason, the Boston Red Sox have added depth to their bullpen, signing left-handed reliever Justin Wilson, according to reports.
WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford reports it is a one-year deal worth $2.25 million.
Wilson, 37, made 60 appearances for Cincinnati last season, when he had a 5.59 ERA, 4.73 FIP, 24.4 percent strikeout rate and 6.2 percent walk rate.
While the surface numbers don’t look great in his first year back from Tommy John surgery, Wilson’s 33.8 percent chase rate ranked in the top 5 percent among all relievers. Wilson allowed 10 homers last season, but seven those came at Cincinnati’s hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark.
Wilson projects as a depth bullpen piece rather than a main addition. Given the Red Sox’s dearth of left-handed relievers and his ability to get hitters to chase at a high rate, Wilson could offer some value as a veteran presence in a bullpen that needs more swing-and-miss stuff, particularly from the left side. Last season, the Red Sox rotated through left-handers Brennan Bernardino, Cam Booser, Bailey Horn and Zach Penrod in the bullpen to varying degrees of success.
Wilson’s four-seamer averaged 95.5 mph last season but also got hit hard (.333 average, .642 slugging) so it wouldn’t be surprising if the Red Sox signed him with the intent of reducing his four-seam usage like they did with other pitchers last season. Wilson’s slider (.362 slugging against) and cutter (.423) were more solid offerings. The 92.3 mph he averaged on his cutter marked a career-high.
Wilson missed all of 2022 and much of 2023 following Tommy John surgery. His recovery was further delayed by a lat strain. Prior to the injuries, Wilson was a solid reliever, posting a 3.18 ERA between 2018-20 with a 27.5 percent strikeout rate. In 2021, Wilson signed with the Yankees but had a rough start to the season and was traded at the deadline to Cincinnati along with Luis Cessa for pitching prospect Jason Parker. In 21 appearances for the Reds after the trade, Wilson put up a 2.45 ERA with 14 strikeouts and seven walks in 16 innings.
(Photo: Jess Rapfogel / Getty Images)
