Red Sox Free Agency Update: Boston reportedly sign former Reds reliever to $2.25 million deal

The Boston Red Sox signed left-handed reliever Justin Wilson for a short-term contract in an effort to bolster bullpen reserves. They got him for a $2.25 million contract, per the Washington Post.

Justin Wilson pitched in 60 relief appearances for the Cincinnati Reds in 2024. He managed a 5.59 ERA with a 1-5 record. It was his 12th season in the major leagues and the first time he has played three seasons with a club since his initial days with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

While his stats might show he is a subpar performer, Wilson has some versatility in his pitching arsenal. As per Baseball Savant stats, his average four-seam fastball, cutter and slider have the same pace. This is set to go well with the current Red Sox pitching ideology under coach Andrew Bailey who has emphasized the reduced use of fastballs for his pitching staff.

Boston's first free agent signing of the year needs to remain healthy to get more game time. He has had a consistent past clocking in an average of 67 games from 2013 to 2018. But 2024 was the first time he recorded 60 appearances on the mound since then.

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How does the Red Sox shape up for 2025?

The Red Sox suffered two major blows in the pen early on in the offseason. They lost Chris Martin and long-time closer Kenley Jansen to free agency. While they would attempt to sign them back, others in the bullpen will likely have to manage their workload.

Most of the responsibility is expected to fall on a returning Liam Hendricks, who missed the 2024 season due to Tommy John. He will be supported by Garret Whitlock, who is returning from a UCL injury. Justin Wilson will join the likes of other pitchers including Zack Kelly and Justin Slaten among others.

Boston also has a fresh face as the bullpen coach, with Chris Holt replacing Kevin Walker as the bullpen coach for the upcoming season.