The Boston Red Sox are most likely going to have an eventful offseason on their hands. After massively exceeding expectations in the 2021 season and making it all the way to the American League Championship Series, this team has once again announced themselves as a legit World Series contender. Now it’s time to patch up some holes this offseason, and make another run for a title next season.
One of those holes from the past season was clearly starting pitching. The team has a very solid duo of Chris Sale and Nathan Eovaldi leading the way, but afterwards there are a lot of question marks. The back end of the rotation, namely Garrett Richards and Martin Perez, flamed out midway through the season, so it’s probably a good idea to try to bring in another guy or two this offseason to avoid something like that happening again next season.
The Sox also have a big question mark in the form of Eduardo Rodriguez right now, as they made a qualifying offer to him this past weekend. Typically players don’t accept the qualifying offer, but Rodriguez might actually want to, as he might not get as much more money on the open market. If he ends up accepting the offer, that significantly reduces what the Red Sox can do in free agency this offseason.
If Rodriguez doesn’t accept the qualifying offer, it’s safe to assume he will be moving on. Fortunately for the Boston Red Sox and their fans, there are tons of other quality starters available on the free agent market this offseason. Let’s take a look at three starting pitchers the Red Sox could look to pursue in free agency this offseason.
Boston Red Sox free agent target No. 3: Justin Verlander
Justin Verlander has largely faded out of the MLB scene for the last two seasons. He only made one start in 2020 before getting Tommy John surgery that caused him to miss the entire 2021 season. Now Verlander is set to be a free agent as he heads into his age 39 season.
Despite his age and the fact that he has really only pitched six innings over the past two years, Verlander will have no shortage of suitors this offseason. Verlander is one of the most accomplished pitchers in MLB history, and ended up winning his 2nd Cy Young award in his most recent full season back in 2019. Verlander has fought off Father Time for quite some time, and if he intends on coming back to pitch next season, I wouldn’t put it past him to continue doing so.
Verlander held a workout in Florida recently to show teams where he is at in his rehabilitation process, and the Boston Red Sox were one of the teams in attendance. Whether it’s due diligence or an actual interest in signing Verlander, it’s a telling sign that the Sox are looking to add starting pitching this offseason. If they want to take a flier on Verlander, it could end up paying out huge dividends.
In a loaded pitching market, Verlander probably won’t be one of the first guys targeted. As a result, Verlander may end up having a bit more of a limited market compared to other guys out there. He could end up drawing $20 million a year, which seems a bit risky when considering his situation, but if Verlander ends up pitching like his old self, he would be well worth the price.
A two year layoff for a soon to be 39 year old pitcher typically wouldn’t draw this much interest, but Verlander isn’t your typical pitcher. He has continued to get better with age, and turned in some of the best seasons of his career during his recent stretch with the Houston Astros. Boston may ultimately look for someone who isn’t as risky a signing as Verlander, but there probably aren’t many guys capable of reaching his heights, making him an enticing free agent target.
Boston Red Sox free agent target No. 2: Carlos Rodon
Carlos Rodon has always had great stuff, the problem is he’s never ever been able to consistently stay healthy. That changed this season, and Rodon had a breakout season at the perfect time considering he is set for free agency. If Rodriguez ends up declining the Sox qualifying offer, they could lock in on Rodon and make him their top target.
After pitching just 7.2 innings in 2020, Rodon came back in 2021 and was dominant for a good portion of the season. He finished with a 13-5 record, a sparkling 2.37 ERA, a career high 185 strikeouts, and he also tossed a no-hitter along the way. Rodon seemed to wear down towards the end of the season, which is a bit concerning, but even then he was still able to gut out some solid outings in August and September.
The fact that Rodon has struggled at times throughout his career may keep some suitors away, but it’s clear Rodon has a very high ceiling as one of the best lefties in the game. When comparing him and Rodriguez, Rodriguez is probably more consistent, but Rodon offers the potential to turn the Red Sox starting rotation into an absolute force.
Rodon was surprisingly not offered a qualifying deal by the Chicago White Sox, which is a telling sign that he probably won’t return there. Rodon seems to be looking for a shorter term deal so that he can hit the free agent market again before the end of his career, which is probably a good thing in case he ends up flaming out.
If Rodriguez ends up signing elsewhere, Rodon would be the perfect replacement. Rodon was a machine this past season, and while there are some durability concerns, a shorter deal should help ease those worries. Signing Rodon may be a bit riskier than bringing back Rodriguez, but Rodon moves the Sox closer to winning a World Series, and that’s the main goal this offseason.
Boston Red Sox free agent target No. 1: Marcus Stroman
Marcus Stroman probably put together one of the more under-the-radar solid seasons from a pitcher in 2021. Of course, it didn’t help that he was playing for the New York Mets, the team that managed to throw away the NL East in quite spectacular fashion. But now that Stroman is set to hit the open market, teams are beginning to notice just how good the veteran right hander was last season.
Despite finishing the season with a losing 10-13 record, Stroman posted a clean 3.02 ERA while also racking up 158 strikeouts. After opting out of the 2020 season due to the COVID pandemic, Stroman returned to the mound in style, and ended up having to carry the bulk of the load for the Mets rotation with Jacob deGrom missing half of the season and Noah Syndergaard missing the entire season.
Stroman is about as consistent as they come, and would be a perfect fit right behind Sale and Eovaldi in the rotation. He’s made 30+ starts in four of his last five seasons, picking up an All Star berth in 2019 and an eighth place finish in Cy Young voting in the 2017 season.
Stroman may not be the flashiest guy on the market, but in terms of Boston’s budget, and their current rotation setup, Stroman is one of the best fits on the market for this team. He will probably look to cash in on a longer term deal considering he’s 30 years old, but considering his durability, that shouldn’t be an issue.
A $20 million deal at four to five years is probably in the ball park of what Stroman is looking for, and that’s definitely a deal the Sox could fit onto their roster. Stroman would come in and immediately form one of the best trios of starting pitchers in the league with Sale and Eovaldi. in terms of value on the free agent market this season, it doesn’t get much better than Stroman, and it would make sense for the Red Sox to pursue him this offseason.