The Boston Red Sox are expected to be major players in free agency this offseason.
They have already been linked to big-names like Juan Soto, Max Fried, Corbin Burnes and Blake Snell. And more options just became available on the free-agent market Friday when the deadline to tender players passed.
Non-tendered players immediately became free agents. They might not be household names like the ones previously mentioned, but they could still fill a specific need for the Red Sox and help them improve their club for the 2025 season.
So, here are six non-tendered players the Red Sox could target in free agency:
Kyle Finnegan, RP
The veteran reliever could provide some key assistance to a Red Sox bullpen which struggled mightily over the second half of the season. Finnegan, 33, was a first-time All-Star this past season and finished with a 3.68 ERA and 38 saves for the Washington Nationals, which ranked third in MLB only behind Ryan Helsley and Emmanuel Clase. The Red Sox currently are without a closer with it unlikely that Kenley Jansen returns and Finnegan, who never sported an ERA over 4.00 in his career, could fill that role.
Patrick Sandoval, SP
The Red Sox have had no issue in recent years taking on a pitcher coming off Tommy John surgery — see Liam Hendriks and James Paxton. Sandoval underwent the surgery in June after a dreadful start to his 2024 season, where he posted a 2-8 record with a 5.08 ERA in 16 starts. Perhaps Sandoval’s arm issues contributed to those lousy performances because he was solid for the Los Angeles Angels two seasons ago when he owned a 2.91 ERA and struck out 151 batters in 148 2/3 innings.
Getting that Sandoval would pay dividends for the Red Sox, who didn’t have a left-hander in their starting rotation last season. Sandoval could miss the entire 2025 season, though, as he recovers from Tommy John. So, the Red Sox would have to wait to see a return on this potential addition.
Jordan Romano, RP
The Red Sox are plenty familiar with Romano. The right-handed reliever spent six seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, primarily serving as the team’s closer. He notched 105 saves in his career with the Blue Jays with 95 of those coming from 2021-23 when he was named an All-Star twice. Elbow issues forced the 31-year-old right-hander to make only 15 appearances this past season, so the Red Sox would be banking on Romano’s track record, especially since he has experience pitching in the American League East.
Brendan Rodgers, 2B
Second base has really been a black hole for the Red Sox ever since Dustin Pedroia retired. Rodgers might be the best solution at second for Boston yet, especially if the franchise wants fast-rising prospect Kristian Campbell to get more seasoning with Triple-A Worcester. Rodgers, 28, won’t blow anyone away with his bat — he hit .267 with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs for the Colorado Rockies this past season — but is a Gold Glove-winning infielder. That might entice the Red Sox to pursue Rodgers since their defense has been a major issue in recent seasons and they were first in the American League with 115 errors in 2024. Plugging Rodgers in at second base also would reunite the 2015 No. 3 overall pick with his former double-play partner Trevor Story. The two were teammates on the Rockies for three seasons.
Cal Quantrill, SP
Quantrill got traded to the Rockies following the 2023 season, which isn’t an ideal landing spot for any pitcher. The 29-year-old unsurprisingly struggled with the Rockies to the tune of an 8-11 record and 4.98 ERA. But it was just two seasons ago that Quantrill was an impactful starting pitcher with the Cleveland Guardians as he went 15-5 with a 3.38 ERA. He showed well for Cleveland in 2021, too, when he started and came out of the bullpen. If he can regain that form, he will be an excellent and versatile depth piece.
Brent Honeywell, RP
Honeywell finally found some footing in MLB with the Los Angeles Dodgers and he has a World Series ring now to show for it. The 29-year-old right-hander went 1-1 with a 2.62 ERA in 18 appearances during the regular season. He isn’t a power pitcher — Honeywell had just a 4.3 strikeout per nine in 2024 — but having the experience of pitching for a championship team is something that is coveted.
