The free agent reliever market has picked up speed since the Los Angeles Dodgers inked the two potential best arms available, Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates.
The Boston Red Sox still hope to reinforce their bullpen, but their options are dwindling quickly. Boston has checked in with plenty of relievers — including Scott before he signed — but there has been no smoke about a deal nearing completion.
Reds connected to reliever Carlos Estévez as Red Sox's bullpen options dwindle
One of the arms the Sox connected with is former Angels and Phillies righty, Carlos Estévez. They'll have some competition for him, though, as a recent report from MLB insider Bob Nightengale says the Cincinnati Reds are "engaged in talks" with Estévez. While the two sides could be far from a deal, it's still more than fans have heard about Boston's recent free agent pursuits.
Estévez posted a 2.45 ERA with 50 strikeouts and 12 walks over 55 innings between the Angels and Phillies last season. He'd be a solid veteran addition to the back of Boston's 'pen, if it can get to him before another suitor does. Chris Cotillo of MassLive wrote on Jan. 7 that the Sox hadn't been "aggressors" in Estévez's market at that point.
Red Sox insider reports Jurickson Profar could be potential righty bat option for Boston
Jurickson Profar has been suggested as a potential Red Sox pivot, but to this point, no smoke there, per source.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) January 23, 2025
Boston fans have hoped for the Red Sox to sign Alex Bregman for much of the offseason, especially after Teoscar Hernández came off the market. There has been little to no progress toward the Sox potentially signing the third baseman and recent updates from sources don't seem to bode well for a deal between the two.
The Red Sox could still use a righty bat, though, and Cotillo tweeted on Jan. 22 that former Padres outfielder Jurikson Profar could be their pivot option. He did not specify who Boston would be pivoting from, but the comments seem to believe it's Bregman.
Profar, who will be 32 in February, posted a career year with the Padres in 2024. He batted .280/.380/.459 with a .839 OPS, 29 doubles, 24 homers and 85 RBI, which earned him his first All-Star nomination, a Silver Slugger Award and MVP votes. He doesn't have the same championship pedigree and track record of success that Bregman does, but if Boston gets desperate for a righty bat, Profar would suffice.
Former Red Sox backup catcher Reese McGuire inks minor league deal with Cubs
Former Red Sox backup catcher Reese McGuire departed the organization in free agency after he was designated for assignment in July. He didn't elect free agency until September.
McGuire signed a minor league deal with the Cubs reported by Aram Leighton of Just Baseball on Jan. 22. The 29-year-old catcher will presumably be invited to big league spring training.
McGuire started the 2024 season hot and had a .269/.356/.404 slash line on April 30, but an eventual slump led to the streaking Connor Wong's takeover behind the plate. McGuire finished the season batting .209/.280/.295 over 53 games.