Red Sox's Aroldis Chapman: Gets one-year deal with Boston
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Chapman agreed to a one-year, $10.75 million contract with the Red Sox on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Control continues to be a major issue for Chapman, who issued 39 free passes over 61.2 innings with the Pirates in 2024. However, he also struck out 98 batters and, even though he will turn 37 years old in February, he still ranked in the 98th percentile in fastball velocity this past season. With Kenley Jansen expected to depart in free agency, Chapman will be a candidate to close in Boston, along with Liam Hendriks and Justin Slaten.
Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Position switch being discussed
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The Red Sox have had internal discussions about moving Devers off third base, Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports.
Devers battled through lingering issues with both shoulders during the 2024 season and again graded out poorly defensively at third base with a minus-six Outs Above Average rating. If the Red Sox do ultimately decide to shift him away from the hot corner, they would likely have both Devers and Triston Casas bounce back-and-forth between first base and designated hitter. Third base would then be filled by a free agent or trade acquisition, with Boston being connected to Alex Bregman, Willy Adames and Nolan Arenado. Finding a taker for Masataka Yoshida's contract is also part of the equation.
Campbell agreed to a minor-league deal with the Red Sox on Friday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Campbell was non-tendered by the Red Sox on Friday, but just hours later this new deal was announced. He's likely to begin the season working in relief with Triple-A Worcester.
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Red Sox's Bryan Mata: Staying in Boston
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The Red Sox signed Mata (elbow/lat) to a minor-league contract Friday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Boston non-tendered Mata on Friday after designating him for assignment Tuesday, but the 25-year-old right-hander will stick around with the Red Sox organization. He'll continue to work through his rehab program for right shoulder and elbow soreness, and if he's healthy, he'll have a chance to earn a spot on the Red Sox's major-league roster in spring training.
Eaton signed a minor-league contract with the Red Sox on Wednesday and received an invitation to spring training, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.
Eaton spent the entirety of last season with the Royals' Triple-A affiliate, where he slashed .252/.299/.439 with 16 homers and 59 RBI across 460 plate appearances. A career .201 hitter in the majors, Eaton is unlikely to break camp with the big-league squad and will presumably spend most of the year at Triple-A Worcester.
The Red Sox signed Zavala to a minor-league contract on Monday.
Zavala, 31, is a career .205/.271/.342 hitter over parts of five major-league seasons. He will give the Red Sox some veteran catching depth at Triple-A Worcester.
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Red Sox's Bryan Mata: Cast off 40-man
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The Red Sox designated Mata (elbow/lat) for assignment Tuesday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Mata missed the start of the season with a hamstring injury and missed the final three months due to shoulder and elbow soreness and never got surgery, which likely contributed to him getting squeezed off the 40-man roster. He is 25 and hasn't thrown more than 30 innings in a season since he threw 83 innings in 2022. Mata has a career 4.87 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 70 strikeouts in 61 innings at Triple-A, and his best path forward is likely as a reliever who can just let it rip with his fastball and slider in short bursts.
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Red Sox's Isaiah Campbell: Loses 40-man roster spot
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The Red Sox designated Campbell (elbow) for assignment Tuesday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Campbell missed the second half of 2024 with elbow inflammation and never got surgery, so the injury may have played a role in him losing his spot on the 40-man roster as Boston looked to protect some prospects from the Rule 5 draft. Campbell had a 2.20 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and a 19:5 K:BB in 14 appearances at Triple-A, but he gave up 12 earned runs in 6.2 MLB innings and his fastball velocity was down to 93.8 mph from the 95.0 mph he averaged in 2023 with Seattle.
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Red Sox's Jhostynxon Garcia: Protected from Rule 5 Draft
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The Red Sox selected Garcia's contract from Double-A Portland on Tuesday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.
Garcia spent time at three different levels this season, slashing .286/.356/.536 with 23 home runs and 17 stolen bases. Slated to turn 22 in December, Garcia has experience at all three outfield spots and is now protected from the Rule 5 Draft.
The Red Sox selected Dobbins' contract from Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Dobbins made 25 starts between Double-A Portland and Worcester in 2024, finishing with a 3.08 ERA and 120:48 K:BB over 125.2 innings. The 25-year-old is now on the 40-man roster and shielded from the Rule 5 Draft.
