Multiple big-name players — including Cody Bellinger in 2022 and Kyle Schwarber in 2020 — have become free agents at the non-tender deadline in recent years.
Two-time All-Star starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff was the most notable player to become a free agent at the 2023 non-tender deadline Friday. But he won’t pitch in 2024 after undergoing shoulder surgery in October.
Which of the newest free agents might the Red Sox have interest in based on what new chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has identified as areas of need? He has mentioned starting pitching, a right-handed bat and middle infield.
Breslow said last week that the bullpen is not a top priority right now but his first trade Friday involved acquiring a right-handed reliever. Boston received Isaiah Campbell from the Mariners for infielder Luis Urías.
It’s likely the Red Sox will add a left-handed reliever this offseason because Brennan Bernardino (3.20 ERA) is the only left-handed reliever on Boston’s 40-man roster to finish 2023 with an ERA under 4.90.
Players non-tendered Friday who the Red Sox might have interest in:
Kyle Lewis, OF: The 28-year-old right-handed hitting outfielder won the 2020 AL Rookie of the Year when he slashed .262/.364/.437/.801 with 11 homers in 58 games (242 plate appearances) for Seattle. But injuries — including a torn meniscus — have limited him to just 70 games over the past three seasons.
Brandon Hughes, LHP: Breslow is familiar with Hughes from their time together with the Cubs. Chicago non-tendered the 27-year-old left-handed reliever after he spent much of the 2023 season on the 60-day IL with left knee inflammation. Hughes was effective when healthy in ‘22, posting a 3.12 ERA, .200 batting average against and 28.5% strikeout percentage.
Dakota Hudson, RHP: The 29-year-old has a 3.95 ERA in 79 starts in his big league career. The Cardinals non-tendered him after he has struggled the past two seasons, posting a 4.64 ERA in 45 outings (38 starts). He underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2020 and his numbers haven’t been the same since. He doesn’t strike out a ton of batters but he has a career 55.1% groundball percentage.
Adam Cimber, RHP: The 33-year-old sidearmer was dominant in 2021-22, recording a 2.53 ERA in 142 ⅓ innings. He has averaged just 2.2 walks per nine innings in his career. But he struggled in 2023 (7.40 ERA, 20 ⅔ innings) and spent much of the season on the 60-day IL with a right shoulder impingement.
Spencer Turnbull, RHP: The 31-year-old starting pitcher missed 2022 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He then struggled in his return this past season, posting a 7.26 ERA in seven starts. He had success from 2018-21 with a 4.25 ERA, 3.63 FIP and 1.32 WHIP in 54 outings (53 starts).
Jovani Moran, LHP: The 26-year-old left-handed reliever from Puerto Rico had a 5.31 ERA in 43 outings for the Twins in ‘23 but he still held opponents to a .226 batting average and struck out 26.1% of the batters he faced. Walks were his main issue (5.7 per nine innings). In 2022, he recorded a 2.21 ERA, 1.78 FIP and 32.9% strikeout percentage. His changeup is his best pitch.
Luis Guillorme, 2B/SS/3B: The 29-year-old left-handed hitter has a .344 career on-base percentage in 334 career games (823 plate appearances) for the Mets. But he has never hit for power.
Brett Martin, LHP: The 28-year-old lefty reliever missed the 2023 season because of shoulder surgery. He has a 3.85 ERA in 187 big league outings for Texas.
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Lou Trivino, RHP: The Yankees acquired the 32-year-old righty with Frankie Montas at the 2022 trade deadline. He pitched well for New York down the stretch with a 1.66 ERA in 25 games (21 ⅔ innings). He underwent Tommy John surgery in May. So he potentially could return around mid-2024.
Nick Senzel, CF/2B/3B: The 28-year-old was the second overall pick in the 2016 draft but he struggled with the Reds, posting just a .239/.302/.369/.671 line in 377 games from 2019-23.
Brandon Woodruff: The two-time All-Star starting pitcher underwent shoulder surgery in October and he’s likely to miss the entire 2024 season. He’s a candidate to receive a two-year deal with the chance of bouncing back to his previous form in 2025.
