Red Sox make first free-agent signing of 2024 offseason
The Boston Red Sox have begun adding new players to the roster for 2025, starting with a veteran left-hander in the bullpen.
As reported by Robert Murray on Thursday, the Red Sox are signing reliever Justin Wilson to a major-league contract. No further details on Wilson’s deal were immediately reported, but considering he’s a 37-year-old relief pitcher, it’s likely a low-level one-year agreement. (UPDATE: Per Rob Bradford, it’s one year and $2.25 million for Wilson).
Wilson pitched in the 2022 and 2024 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, posting a 1-6 record with a 5.36 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 50.1 innings in that span. He pitched 3.2 innings in 2022 before undergoing Tommy John surgery and missing the entire 2023 season.
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In his career, Wilson has a 3.61 ERA and 561 strikeouts over 513.2 innings in 12 major-league seasons between six franchises, including two stints with the Yankees. He’s posted an ERA of 3.46 or less in eight of his 12 seasons.
Clearly, the Red Sox are hoping Wilson can regain his best form. It’s generally a low-risk, high-reward type of move, but the risk would increase if the Sox tried to depend on Wilson to be a key left-handed reliever over the likes of Brennan Bernardino or Cam Booser.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.
