Left-hander Patrick Sandoval and the Boston Red Sox are in settlement on a two-year, $18.25 million contract, sources advised ESPN, uniting the veteran who was non-tendered in November with a staff seeking to shore up its pitching depth this 12 months and past.
The 28-year-old Sandoval underwent Tommy John surgical procedure in June and isn’t anticipated to pitch till the second half of 2025. Boston however paid a well-over-market fee to get Sandoval, cognizant of the heavy value of free agent beginning pitchers this winter and hopeful that Sandoval generally is a strong midrotation starter upon his return.
Sandoval’s estimated arbitration wage for 2025 was round $5.5 million, and reasonably than commerce him, the Angels non-tendered him. Had Sandoval been supplied a contract, his arbitration quantity for 2026 possible would have been a minimal increase due to the shortage of quantity as a result of harm.
His free company, nonetheless, led to important curiosity amongst groups — and an enormous increase in 2026. Sandoval will make $5.5 million in 2025 and $12.75 million in 2026, sources stated.
Sandoval illustrated his ceiling in 2022, when he posted a 2.91 ERA over 27 begins, throwing 148⅔ innings, placing out 151 and strolling 60. He adopted with 28 begins and a 4.11 ERA in 2023 however struggled final season with a 5.08 ERA in 16 begins earlier than needing the surgical procedure for elbow ligament substitute.
Boston, looking for beginning pitching assist this winter, swung a commerce for ace Garrett Crochet with the Chicago White Sox. Like Sandoval, he’ll hit free company once more after 2026. Others within the Red Sox’s rotation combine subsequent season embrace right-handers Tanner Houck, Lucas Giolito, Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford.
Also Friday, the Red Sox invited 2016 AL Rookie of the Year Michael Fulmer to spring coaching as a non-roster invitee.
The 31-year-old right-hander missed all of final season recovering from proper elbow surgical procedure. A 2017 All-Star, Fulmer was 3-5 with a 4.42 ERA for the Cubs in 2023.
Also invited to spring coaching are catcher Seby Zavala, infielder/outfielder Nate Eaton and righties Isaiah Campbell, Bryan Mata, and Wyatt Mills. Mata was Boston’s high pitching prospect earlier than lacking most of 2023 with an harm.
