Eight Red Sox players — pitchers Luis García, Kenley Jansen, Chris Martin, Nick Pivetta, James Paxton and Lucas Sims, catcher Danny Jansen and outfielder Tyler O’Neill — officially hit the free agent market Monday. They are not, however, the only players on MLB’s list of 174 free agents to have Red Sox connections.
- BETTING: Check out our MA sports betting guide, where you can learn basic terminology, definitions and how to read odds for those interested in learning how to bet in Massachusetts.
In addition to the eight listed above, there are 15 former Red Sox who are on the open market this winter. That doesn’t even include righty Michael Wacha, who was projected to be a free agent again but instead re-signed with the Royals on a lucrative three-year, $51 million deal (with a fourth-year option) over the weekend.
Here’s a list of the 15 ex-Sox who find themselves looking for a new team this winter:
PITCHERS:
Nathan Eovaldi
Eovaldi is on the open market once again after he declined his $20 million player option for 2025. Now 34 (35 in February), the veteran righty is coming off a strong two-season stint with the Rangers (3.72 ERA in 54 starts) and will interest contenders looking for a pitcher with plenty of postseason experience. MLBTradeRumors ranked Eovaldi as the No. 17 free agent available this year and projected a two-year, $44 million contract for him.
Joe Kelly
You’d never know it based on his comments about the Yankees, but Kelly didn’t pitch this postseason because he was dealing with nagging shoulder injuries. Still, the three-time champion aims to pitch in 2025. He’ll likely have to settle for a one-year deal after being limited to just 32 innings at age 36 last year.
Martín Pérez
Pérez has bounced around since his two-year stint in Boston ended in 2021, pitching for Texas, Pittsburgh and San Diego. He struggled to a 4.53 ERA in 26 starts split between the Pirates and Padres last year but pitched better down the stretch for San Diego. He’ll look for another opportunity in his 14th big league season.
Adam Ottavino
Ottavino turns 39 later this month but is pitching in winter ball in hopes of keeping his career going. He made 60 appearances for the Mets but saw some inflated numbers like a 4.34 ERA and 1.286 WHIP in 56 innings.
Daniel Bard
Bard, one of baseball’s great stories over the last couple years, had knee surgery in February and missed all of 2024. He does plan to come back for 2025 and try to regain the form that led him to being one of baseball’s best relievers in 2022 (1.79 ERA in 60.1 innings). He turns 40 in June but should never be counted out.
Jalen Beeks
Beeks, who made two appearances in a Red Sox uniform before being traded for Eovaldi at the 2018 trade deadline, pitched in 129 games for the Rays before leaving that organization last winter. Last year brought him to Colorado and Pittsburgh, where he combined for a 4.50 ERA in 70 innings. A pretty strong finish with the Pirates could set up the 31-year-old for a major league deal.
Wade Miley
Miley pitched for the Red Sox forever ago (nine years to be exact) and quietly became a pretty good contributor for a few teams like the Brewers, Astros, Reds and Cubs. The 2024 season was lost to Tommy John surgery in April and Miley, who turns 38 next week, had his mutual option declined for 2025. His future is somewhat in limbo.
POSITION PLAYERS:
Alex Verdugo
Verdugo had a big chance to cash in as a free agent with a strong season in New York after the Red Sox traded him there in December. That didn’t materialize offensively, as he started off hot but ended up hitting just .233 with 13 homers, 61 RBIs and a .647 OPS in 149 games for New York. At this point, Verdugo has yet to hit his ceiling, though everyone knows the upside is there. MLBTR did not have him among the top 50 available free agents.
J.D. Martinez
Martinez got his annual trip to the postseason after 120 games as the Mets’ designated hitter. He showed signs of slowing down, though, hitting .235 with 16 homers, 69 RBIs and a .725 OPS for New York. The 37-year-old definitely isn’t a guy who wants to play forever and it would surprise no one if he hung up his cleats this winter. Still, teams will be interested in a professional hitter who has largely defied age when right.
Justin Turner
Turner was just OK in a half-season with the Blue Jays, then better in Seattle where he posted a 128 OPS+ in the final two months. Even at almost 40 (November 23), the ex-Dodger can hit, and he’s supremely valued for his clubhouse leadership. He told reporters he wants to play in 2025. A return home to either the Dodgers or Angels would make sense.
Kiké Hernández
Hernández just seems like a guy who thrives with the Dodgers and should stay there forever. A great postseason (.294 average, .808 OPS) may have teams barking at the versatile showboat but a reunion with the Dodgers on a deal similar to the one-year, $4 million pact he signed in spring training is probably best for all parties.
Tommy Pham
Pham, whose Boston cameo lasted two months in 2022, played for three teams (White Sox, Cardinals, Royals) last year and wasn’t particularly good with any of them. He finished with a .674 OPS and just nine homers in total. Still, he’s known for hitting lefties and that skillset has value. He’ll look for another team (his 10th!) entering his age-37 season.
Adam Duvall
Duvall followed an excellent lone season in Boston with a terrible return engagement in Atlanta. The affable vet hit .182 with 11 homers, 30 RBIs and a .569 OPS in 104 games last year. With that, it might be tough to envision the 36-year-old getting a big league deal this winter after he settled for just $3 million a year ago.
José Iglesias
Iglesias came out of absolutely nowhere to give the Mets a fantastic season that included a .337 average and .830 OPS at the plate. The author of one of the weirdest careers in recent memory, the two-time member of the Red Sox is also now a pop star. He’s only 34 (35 in January) and the Mets might want to sign him to keep the good vibes rolling.
Kevin Pillar
Pillar, who is soon to be 36, has said he plans on retiring this winter after hitting .229 with a .667 OPS between the White Sox and Angels last season. He appeared for the Red Sox in 2020.
