Red Sox could lose veteran relief signing if they don't make roster decision soon

The end of April isn't the most active time on the MLB calendar, but it does correspond with a key decision facing many veteran players.

Free agents who had to settle for minor-league contracts over the offseason often get a little bit of bargaining power in the form of "upward-mobility clauses." Effectively, if they aren't placed on the active 26-man roster by a specific date (often the first of a given month), then they can choose to opt out of their contract and seek employment elsewhere in the league.

Tommy Kahnle is facing one such decision while pitching for the WooSox. He was a late, post-World Baseball Classic addition to the spring training fold this year, but he looks more than ready for his Boston Red Sox debut, if the call comes in time.

With Garrett Crochet heading to the injured list, the Red Sox may have enough immediate need for pitching reinforcements that Kahnle could be promoted prior to May 1. If he's not, expect the Red Sox to lose him to a team more ready and willing to give him another look in the majors.

Red Sox need to decide between Tommy Kahnle and Ryan Watson for the remainder of 2026

The Red Sox's bullpen has been far from perfect this year, but considering that set-up man Justin Slaten has been out since April 4 with an oblique injury, the unit has done a nice job holding down the fort in the rare instance that they've been provided with a lead.

The unequivocal weak link of the group has been Rule 5 pick Ryan Watson, who just doesn't look ready for MLB action right now. He's got a 6.62 ERA (and 8.14 xERA) across 13 appearances this season, giving up too many home runs and not striking out enough hitters to be effective.

Because of his Rule 5 status, the Red Sox would have to surrender him back to the Athletics if they choose to remove Watson from the roster. In his place, Kahnle — who has a 3.24 ERA and 2.92 FIP in Triple-A this season — could take a spot on the 40-man roster as the eighth man in the bullpen.

Perhaps the front office doesn't want to give up on Watson just yet; they've had tremendous success with Rule 5 relievers in the past. He's had some big seasons in the minors and flashed the kind of extension and raw stuff that Craig Breslow is known to covet.

However, Kahnle has been a vocal advocate and new Boston manager Chad Tracy and vice versa. That kind of built-in trust could go a long way for an interim skipper. With an impending ultimatum that could determine Kahnle's future in the organization, that preexisting relationship may serve as the tiebreaker.

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