5 under the radar Boston Red Sox free agent options

RP Zach Duke

Zach Duke is a veteran that should be available for relatively cheap compared to other players. He has plenty of upside though. The wily veteran has been in the majors since 2005, spending time with the Pirates, Diamondbacks, Nationals, Reds, Brewers, White Sox, and Cardinals. Duke has a career 4.30 ERA, but he’s been better since 2014. In 2016 he had a 2.36 ERA in 61.0 innings pitched and was at 3.93 in 2017 after returning from Tommy John surgery from October 2016.

Boston needs left-handed pitchers badly, as Jalen Beeks, Roenis Elias, Williams Jerez, Brian Johnson, and Robby Scott are the only lefty relievers on the 40-man roster. Scott is likely the only lock to make the major league roster in 2018, so a few more arms will need to be added to the pen. If the Red Sox can get Duke fairly cheap, he could provide a great veteran presence will also contributing on the mound in 2018.