FORT MYERS, Fla. — Veteran left-handed reliever Justin Wilson wasted no time in free agency.
He agreed to sign with the Red Sox just 15 days after the World Series ended and 10 days after free agents were able to sign contracts with other organizations.
“I felt like it was a good, fair deal and it’s nice to be signed early and be able to prepare for the season,” Wilson said Friday at JetBlue Park.
The 37-year-old inked a one-year, $2.25 million contract Nov. 14. It also includes another $750,000 available in performance bonuses.
Wilson has a 3.61 ERA in 587 career outings and fills a couple of needs.
Six Red Sox left-handed relievers combined for a 4.33 ERA last year and only one (Cam Booser who was traded in the offseason) had an ERA under 4.00.
The Red Sox needed to add left-handers. They also wanted to add more high-end velocity to the bullpen after Boston tied for 20th in relief pitcher average fastball velocity (94.2 mph) in 2024, per Baseball Savant.
Wilson and lefty Aroldis Chapman, who signed a one-year, $10.75 million contract, should help improve those areas.
Wilson’s fastball averaged 95.5 mph last year and he ranked in the 95th percentile among major leaguers in chase percentage (33.8%). He has averaged nearly 10 strikeouts per nine innings in his career.
Chapman, meanwhile, finished 2024 in the 99th percentile in strikeout percentage (37.1%) and 98th percentile in average fastball velocity (98.7 mph).
Signing so early in the offseason benefited Wilson because he could work with pitching coach Andrew Bailey right away, especially on his split-finger fastball, a newish pitch.
“When I signed here, Bails immediately contacted me and had some input,” Wilson said.
Wilson threw his splitter only nine times last year but it’s a pitch he could throw a lot more this season, especially to righties.
“I added it last year and I just wasn’t super comfortable with it,” Wilson said. “But I worked on it a lot this offseason and changed my grip. It seems like a lot more comfortable pitch for me to throw now and I plan on using it.”
Wilson said Bailey just wanted him to feel more comfortable throwing the splitter.
“I think the grip change really helped with that,” he said.
Wilson got ahead early in counts last year. He posted a 6.2 walk percentage, which ranked in the 78th percentile among big leaguers. He averaged 9.8 strikeouts and 2.5 walks per nine innings.
“I think being in leverage counts helps. Two-strike counts clearly help a lot,” Wilson said when asked about what he does well to get hitters to chase. “Making guys expand the zone. And I think just my stuff in general profiles well with swing and miss.”
He threw his fastball 49.5% of the time last year, followed by his slider (25.4%), cutter (24.0%) and splitter (1.1%).
“Just mix a little bit more (this year),” Wilson said. “Also, I think I did a good job last year of getting to two strikes. I’d like to end those ABs a little bit quicker.”
Opponents had only a .203 expected batting average against his slider.
“That was a good addition going into last year as well,” Wilson said. “I mean I had a curveball but they probably blended together a little bit. I think I threw more of a true slider last year. I think it helped with some swing and miss.”
He said he has thrown a cutter for pretty much his entire career.
“Just something right off the fastball,” he said.
He added about his fastball, “Velo is important. Absolutely important. Less time to react for the hitter and I think it just sets up the rest of the AB. Luckily after my Tommy John, the stuff came back.”
The Red Sox have prioritized acquiring pitchers who can get both left- and right-handed hitters out. Wilson actually has fared better against right-handed batters throughout his career.
“It matters a ton, especially now with the three batter minimum,” Wilson said. “And then usually later in the game you’re getting some sort of pinch hitter, especially if there’s a grouping of lefties together. Gotta be able to do both. I feel like I’ve handled that well in my career and stuff plays to both sides.”
He’s excited to pitch at Fenway.
“There’s so much history there,” Wilson said. “Of course, I played in that stadium against the Red Sox but it will be nice to be on the home side with all the support of the great fans.”
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