Red Sox roster 2021: Where are the vanquished now?

Red Sox roster refugees from 2021 – where are they now?

The Boston Red Sox had some significant offseason turnover, and just what are those that have been cut from the herd up to elsewhere?

The first considerable loss was lefty Eduardo Rodriguez to Detroit via free agency. E-Rod signed for 5-years, $77 million, and the early returns are not encouraging for the former 19-game winner. The 29-year-old has made five starts for the Tigers, and the results are putrid – a 0-2 record. A 3.77 FIP somewhat offsets the 5.33 ERA. What one may find amusing is fWAR – E-Rod is posting a 0.4 fWAR and Michael Wacha owns a 0.3 fWAR. Who has been the better bargain and pitcher in the early going?

Garrett Richards did little for the Red Sox except for cashing a fat check. His late-season move to the bullpen did have some positive results, but not enough to keep him tethered in Boston. Richards signed with the Rangers ($9 million) and has appeared in seven games – two were starts. The early results are nine innings of work similar to Boston circa 2021.

Martín Pérez is also with the Rangers, inking a $4 million deal. Pérez has made five starts and has a 0-2 record for his efforts despite a solid performance. Pérez has an 8.3 BB% and 53.8 GB% in 28 solid innings. I would expect Pérez to continue to be what he has always been – a respectable bottom of the rotation starter.

Popular, personable, and productive describes Kyle Schwarber‘s short stay with the Red Sox. Naturally, there was no way he’d be signed with those attributes. Schwarber signed with the Phillies (3 years, $60 million) and is hitting under .200 but he’s a home run machine with seven.

Right-hander Adam Ottavino was loved or hated by Red Sox fans and often within the same game. Ottavino pitched to a 4.21 ERA/3.96 FIP while going 7-3. The Mets signed Ottavino for one year at $4 million. Ottavino has appeared in 11 games with “Meh” results.

The one that got away was right-hand hitting José Iglesias, who stabilized second base in 2021 for a September push. He hit .356 with some critical hits and defensive plays. Iglesias was ignored by Boston but not the Rockies, who signed him for $5 million. Iglesias is at short and hitting .294 as a regular. *sigh*

Switch-hitting Danny Santana was a bust in Boston, hitting just .181 in 38 games. Then things went downhill as free agent Santana got pinched for PED use and was suspended for 80 games if he ever signs.

Righty Brandon Workman had good and bad times with the Red Sox from 2013 to 2020. Last season the Red Sox took a chance on Workman once the Cubs gave up on him. It was over with Boston by early August, but not for Workman, who signed this spring with the Rangers. The Rangers dumped Workman after a few weeks, and he remains unemployed.

Right-hander Brad Peacock was once a promising arm for the Astros going 13-2 in 2017. Boston purchased Peacock from the Guardians (AKA – Indians) in August and, in two games, showed little value. The Royals signed Peacock, who is now laboring with Omaha (AAA).

In 2021, righty Yacksel Ríos appeared in 20 games for the Red Sox and did show some future potential. Ríos was a five-year MLB vet but is now with the other Sox and in AAA, where he is getting toasted.

Stephen Gonsalves briefly surfaced in Boston, where the lefty appeared in three games. Now a member of the Cubs organization Gonsalves is with Iowa (AAA).

Chaim Bloom’s shopping list for 2021 also included Jack López, an itinerant second baseman. López hit .154 in seven games and is now part of the Tigers organization playing for Toledo (AAA).

In case you missed it, in 2021, right-hander Raynel Espinal appeared in one game with two innings tossed. Espinal – now 30-years-old – signed with the Giants and is now with Sacramento (AAA).

Yairo Muñoz thundered on the scene in 2020, hitting .333. The right-hand hitter had hit .273 for the Cards over 196 games. In 2022 the thunder became an echo as Muñoz hit a paltry.091. Munoz signed with the Phils and is hitting over .300 in AAA ball.