Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
With Spring Training just a few weeks away, there are still a trio of former Boston Red Sox players sitting on the free agent market with no clear indications of where or when any of them will sign a new deal. Each played a very different role with the team during the 2013 season and entered the free agent market facing their own question marks. None seem particularly likely to return to Boston at this point under any circumstances.
Stephen Drew’s situation has been discussed at length already, leaving little left to evaluate. The latest rumbling had the New York Yankees stepping up with interest, only the next day the story quickly changed to the team’s “intent to maintain the status quo”. Boston’s interest appears to remain tepid at best. Their need seems even less certain.
Andrew Bailey and Joel Hanrahan have been seeing a far different experience on the free agent market to date.
Bailey, of course, was a late addition to the mix as he didn’t officially become an option for teams until the Red Sox non-tendered him in early December. Bailey had earned $4.1 Million last season and there seemed little reason for the team to risk him receiving a raise via arbitration. Roughly a week later it appeared as though Bailey could have some options at his disposal, as Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors reported that “more than fifteen teams had called to express interest” in the 29 year old right-hander. No other details were offered at the time and there’s been no new news to report since.
Shoulder surgery ended Bailey’s 2013 season in early July, limiting him to just 30 appearances on the year and a total of 28.2 IP. He’d post a 3.77 ERA and 1.221 WHIP over that stretch, appearing healthy again after a dismal finish to 2012. He’s expected to be ready to take a mound again by May, barring any setbacks.
The Texas Rangers were the last team reported to have expressed interest in Bailey, but that report stems back to last year’s Spring Training. Much has changed since then.
As for Hanrahan, his 2013 went a little differently. He’d joined the Red Sox via a late December 2012 trade and entered the season as the team’s incumbent closer. His year would be fairly short lived. Hanrahan made a handful of appearances for the team in early April, before missing two weeks. He’d return to make a handful of appearances before being shut down again, this time undergoing season ending surgery on his right elbow. Over 7.1 IP he’s allow 8 earned runs (9.82 ERA), 10 hits, and 6 walks (2.181 WHIP). It was hands down one of the worst performances of his career.
The 32 year old is reportedly progressing quicker than expected and will throw off a mound for interested teams in the coming weeks. No true suitors have been linked to him this offseason.
Boston has nothing vested in where Bailey and/or Hanrahan end up, as neither was in discussions for a qualifying offer and thus are not tied to draft pick compensation as Drew is.