Red Sox' Cheapness Just Cost Them Another Free-Agent Signing
As Opening Day 2025 looms, teams around the Majors are still scrambling to fill out their rosters. There are still plenty of serviceable free agents available, and one of those names found his new home on Wednesday.
The Detroit Tigers are signing right-handed reliever Tommy Kahnle to a one-year contract worth $7.25 million, according to MLB insider Jeff Passan. While some Red Sox fans would've been thrilled to see the veteran righty added to Boston's bullpen, it appears as if ownership's cheapness cost them the opportunity to sign Kahnle.
Red Sox "Weren't Serious" About Signing RHP Tommy Kahnle
Shortly after the Tigers put pen to paper, MassLive's Chris Cotillo revealed the Red Sox's interest in Kahnle never reached high enough a level to pull the trigger on a deal.
"A third of the league showed interest in Kahnle," Cotillo wrote. "The Red Sox were in that group but they weren’t serious on him like they have been in past FA cycles. No offer."
A third of the league showed interest in Kahnle. The Red Sox were in that group but they weren’t serious on him like they have been in past FA cycles. No offer. https://t.co/fxaEAexVB0
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) January 29, 2025
It isn't the first time that the Red Sox struck out on adding Kahnle to their bullpen.
After signing a two-year, $11.25 million contract with the New York Yankees in 2023, Kahnle told The Athletic's Chris Kirschner he nearly joined the Red Sox that offseason.
"I was really close to going to Boston," the former Lynn University product said. "In the end, I made the choice of the familiarity of knowing all of the coaches and knowing what role I would have going into this situation."
The decision to join the Red Sox's AL East rival ended up benefiting the 35-year-old RHP. Pitching in 83 1/3 innings in 92 appearances across two seasons with the Yankees, Kahnle fought his way to a 2.38 ERA, 1.128 WHIP, and 1.9 WAR while striking out 10.2 batters per nine innings.
That's the type of arm that could've upgraded Boston's bullpen after its relievers pitched a 4.39 ERA last season (24th).
Instead, the Red Sox's reluctance to pay free agents has come back to bite them again. Although missing out on another free agent will disappoint fans, it isn't surprising. According to the MLB Scrooge Index, which calculates the "percentage of revenue spent on payroll," the Red Sox only spend 40% of their revenue on their players — the fifth-lowest rate in the Majors.
That's an embarrassing statistic for what's supposed to be one of baseball's most storied franchises. The Red Sox used to attract outside names simply by their mere existence. Rather than trying to get back to that status, ownership seems content with keeping the status quo even if risks extending the club's postseason drought.
Fortunately, Boston still has some time to improve its pitching depth before the 2025 season begins. Red Sox pitchers and catchers will officially report to spring training on Wednesday, Feb. 12.
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