The Red Sox made a huge move to acquire a No. 1 starter, and they might be trying to bolster their bullpen.
On Wednesday, Boston acquired Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox for four high-end prospects. However, Red Sox still have moves to make to address their top needs but will continue to face competition for the top names.
The Athletic’s Jim Bowden on Wednesday reported that Boston, along with the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers, was in the mix for free agents Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates and Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams.
Boston has been linked to Scott, but it was believed that the Aroldis Chapman signing took it out of contention. Bowden’s report would indicate otherwise and might imply that Chapman will compete for a high-leverage role if Liam Hendriks opens as the closer. A chase for a closer might also hint that the Red Sox might be trying to ease Hendriks’ workload coming off Tommy John surgery.
Signing Yates would reunite the two-time All-Star with the team that drafted him in the 2005 MLB Draft. The right-hander posted a 1.17 ERA in 61 2/3 innings and earned 33 saves in 2024.
The Brewers still are rebuilding, and Williams is one of their top assets. The 30-year-old recorded a 1.25 ERA in 21 2/3 innings and earned 14 saves in 2024, a season that began with him recovering from a back injury. The two-time All-Star earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2020 and won two National League Reliever of the Year awards in his six-year career in Milwaukee.
Thursday could be an interesting end of the MLB winter meetings as Boston seems to have its hand in multiple parts of the market.
