The Boston Red Sox started the offseason in a way no one anticipated. Controversy has been sparked as the Sox added Aroldis Chapman to their bullpen with a one-year, $10.75 million contract.
Fans and analysts have mixed reactions to Boston’s largest free agent transaction to this point. On one hand, the Sox add depth with a player who notoriously throws heaters with triple-digit velocity. On the other hand, Chapman is no longer in his prime and doesn’t have the best off-field reputation.
Despite having a clear blueprint for offseason success, Boston decided to go rogue and take a risk. If the Sox choose to double down on and continue to make unconventional signings, they have plenty of options.
Here are three high-risk, high-reward players the Red Sox should consider signing
Justin Verlander
Justin Verlander is entering his 20th campaign after posting his worst season since his rookie year. He logged a 5.48 ERA and 1.38 WHIP, the highest in his career, with the Astros. His pinpoint accuracy regressed, resulting in a -0.3 WAR in 2024. At age 41, it’s not a shock that his arm is regressing after two decades.
While he might be coming off a shaky season, he’s still a three-time Cy Young winner destined for Cooperstown. The gamble is whether his age will get the best of him. If the Sox pay him $15-20 million and he repeats this year’s pitching, it could quickly put chief baseball officer Craig Breslow in the hot seat.
Verlander may not be the ace most people think the Sox would sign, but it would sure be a dazzling move.
Patrick Sandoval
Patrick Sandoval has seen his best and worst days with the Angels. Three years of pitching with an aggregate 3.53 ERA were bookended by three years where he had an ERA above 5.00. While his slider and changeup have plenty of movement, he struggles to control the zone, culminating in a 4.0 career BB/9 rate. His temper and inability to control his emotions also only spell trouble.
Red Sox pitching coach Andrew Bailey would have his hands full if Sandoval comes to Boston. To become a solid number three pitcher, Sandoval needs to improve his fastball and manage his temper. Depending on his 2025 performance, Spotrac's estimated contract of $10.5 million per year will either be a steal or a huge mistake.
Sandoval carries more risk than desired, but the reward is certainly high.
Walker Buehler
The buzz around Walker Buehler has surged after the Dodgers won the World Series. In the NLCS, Buehler pitched four scoreless innings and held the Mets to three hits and two walks while tallying six strikeouts. He fared even better in the World Series against the Yankees, twirling a 7.2-inning shutout and only allowing two hits and two walks while striking out seven batters. Those two dominant games are arguably the best of his postseason pitching career.
Boston shouldn’t let recency bias cloud their judgment. Buehler struggled in his first year back from Tommy John surgery, pitching only 75.1 innings and posting a 5.38 ERA and 1.55 WHIP. His first postseason start since 2021, when he gave up six earned runs and seven hits in just five innings, was the epitome of most of his 2024 season, yet it’s much easier to forget when it’s buried underneath two stellar outings.
Next year will be a coin toss for whether Buehler is back to normal, but Boston should be able to shoulder the damage with its deep starting rotation should the odds be in their favor.