The Boston Red Sox have added a few players this offseason, notably Walker Buehler and Garrett Crochet to the starting pitching staff, but they’re far from done.
Boston could still add a corner infielder, a starting pitcher, and a lot of help to the bullpen. As of now, it’s the bullpen that’s the biggest hole on Boston’s roster and FanSided’s MLB insider Robert Murray recently revealed who the Red Sox may be targeting.
Murray revealed the Red Sox are among the teams pursuing free agent reliever Tanner Scott, formerly of the San Diego Padres. Scott is projected to sign for $54 million, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
“Free-agent reliever Tanner Scott’s market is extensive and includes many big market teams such as the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and others,” Murray wrote.
Boston was rumored to be listening to offers on closer Kenley Jansen last season, but ultimately decided to hold onto him. Now Jansen is set to walk in free agency, and it doesn’t seem like the Red Sox are pursuing a reunion.
Boston hasn’t spent quite a lot of money this offseason, so it has the money available to spend on Scott even if his price runs up closer to $60 million or $70 million.
It wouldn’t be a mistake for the Red Sox to invest in the bullpen. A dominant bullpen carried the Cleveland Guardians deep into October in 2024 so the Red Sox could look to re-create something similar with a much better offense.
