Former Red Sox players named on the rumor mill and waiver wire
By Rick McNair
Former Boston Red Sox names in the news and on the move
The shifting sands of the offseason have seen a few names with former Boston Red Sox connections that have moved. Names that may be familiar and some that need a memory tweak. Starting out will be a local kid who took a long time to achieve a significant level of success.
The market for lefty Rich Hill is rumored to be down to three teams. The soon to be 41-year-old made eight starts for the Twins in 2020. Hill tossed 38.2 innings and finished with a 3.03 ERA. Hill has been a regular on the IL for large portions of his career, but when healthy has had solid results.
Hill – born in Boston – had two turns with the Boston organization. In 2015 with his second tour with the Red Sox, Hill made four starts posting an impressive 1.55 ERA. He soon parlayed an impressive 2016 season (12-5, 2.12) with Oakland into a three-year deal with the Dodgers for $48 MM.
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The Rays, Brewers, and Mets are the supposed suitors for Hill. Notably, the Red Sox are absent from the hunt. The caution for Hill is his 2020 19.8 K% and a decreasing loss of velocity. Never a hard tosser, the curveball specialist has seen his fastball tick down to 87.7 MPH.
Right-hander Heath Hembree spent almost seven seasons with the Red Sox. Hembree just signed a $1.25 MM minor league deal with Cleveland. Hembree arrived in Boston in 2014 as part of the Jake Peavy trade. In the 2018 World Series run, Hembree tossed 4.2 innings in the three series without allowing an earned run. The downside for Hembree has been two-fold: Walks and allowing home runs.
Hembree was shipped to Philadelphia along with fellow right Brandon Workman in a trade that may show significant dividends. Boston received right-handers Nick Pivetta and prospect Connor Seabold. Both Workman and Hembree were discarded by the Phillies. Philadelphia was a disaster for Hembree allowing seven home runs in just 9.1 innings.
Heath Hembree signs minors deal with Indians. $1.25M plus incentives in majors
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 3, 2021
The Red Sox made a blockbuster trade in December of 2016. Boston forwarded two up in light prospects – Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech – for Chris Sale. Boston also tossed in a sweetener in Luis Alexander Basabe. The 24-year-old switch-hitting outfielder surfaced with the Giants last season and hit just .143 in nine games. Basabe – once highly regarding – was designated for assignment by the Giants.
In a “We hardly knew ye” moment the Red Sox have designated 26-year-old righty Joel Payamps for assignment. Payamps was a relatively new arrival as Boston had claimed Payamps from the Diamondbacks. Then along came Garrett Richards and a needed contract space so Payamps is gone, but may surface if unclaimed.
A.J. Preller is certainly not a player, but the ethically challenged GM of the San Diego Padres. The Padres have been the most active team since mid-season 2020 as they attempt to construct a championship squad. Preller was recently extended through the 2026 season. What is the Red Sox connection?
Next. Jackie Bradley reunion remains unlikely unless price drops. dark
If your answer is withholding medical records of player traded you win. Preller withheld medical information on Drew Pomeranz when the lefty was traded to Boston for top prospect pitcher Anderson Espinoza. Preller ended up with a 30-day suspension. Great.