The Boston Red Sox have made it clear they are in the market for a right-handed hitter to balance their predominantly left-handed lineup, as noted by chief of baseball operations Craig Breslow. However, their starting rotation faces the opposite problem, with only one left-handed pitcher: recent addition Garrett Crochet.
The rest of the rotation is right-handed. While the Red Sox signed former Angels lefty Patrick Sandoval in December, the 28-year-old veteran is recovering from Tommy John surgery and won’t be available until mid-2025 at the earliest.
The team is also banking on Lucas Giolito, their top free-agent signing from last year, to fill the No. 5 starter role. Giolito, a 2012 first-round pick and former All-Star with the White Sox, missed the entire 2024 season due to elbow surgery. If he struggles, the Red Sox would likely turn to Kutter Crawford, another righty, who led the league last season in both home runs allowed (34) and losses (16).
Two years ago, the Red Sox pursued lefty Andrew Heaney, who had posted a 3.10 ERA with the Dodgers while striking out 110 batters in just 72 2/3 innings. However, Heaney chose to stay closer to home, signing a two-year, $25 million deal with the Texas Rangers. Now, at 33, Heaney is back on the market and regarded as the top left-handed starter available, according to Just Baseball’s Leo Morgenstern.
Heaney’s health issues, which previously hampered his career, now seem to be behind him. Over two seasons with Texas, he pitched 66 games (59 starts) and logged more than 300 innings. Morgenstern suggests Heaney could sign a deal similar to his previous contract, though this time based on his reliability rather than potential.
By signing Heaney, the Red Sox could add a second lefty to their rotation at a reasonable cost, securing a reliable option to strengthen the top of their pitching staff.
Be the first to comment