Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow certainly knows how to stockpile pitching talent. It's a habit of Breslow's that's opened the door to multiple trades this offseason. To acquire Sonny Gray from the Cardinals, Breslow sent St. Louis a pair of intriguing, young arms in Richard Fitts and Brandon Clarke. And to snag Willson Contreras, Breslow sent the Cards three pitchers: Hunter Dobbins, Yhoiker Fajardo, and Blake Aita.
Many franchises would be worried about their pitching depth amid such an offseason, but not the Red Sox. Due to Breslow's design, Boston is always in possession of an excess of pitching. It's becoming clear that Boston's team-building blueprint is to fill their pitching depth over the brim and then use the surplus in trades for roster needs whenever necessary. This should have Red Sox fans aware that whenever Breslow acquires more pitching, it's meaningful, even if the arm in question is an unknown entity like Devin Sweet, Boston's latest pickup.
Craig Breslow's latest trades give new meaning to acquisition of right-hander Devin Sweet
The Red Sox signed Sweet to a minor league deal on January 5. The 29-year-old has tallied 554 strikeouts in 455 2/3 innings pitched in the minors. Sweet was assigned to Triple-A Worcester Red Sox upon being inked, but he has a shot to get an invite to spring training.
Sweet's big-league experience is minimal. He entered the show in 2023 and pitched 8 2/3 innings between the Seattle Mariners and Athletics, but wasn't successful (a 10.38 ERA, to be exact). Since then, Sweet has passed through the hands of the San Francisco Giants, Detroit Tigers, and Philadelphia Phillies, but he hasn't been back to the majors.
Interest from so many clubs suggests that there's real value there, and Breslow has shown an eye for pitching talent. Something that must appeal to Breslow is that Sweet struck out 30% of batters faced in between 2021 and 2024 in the minors. We know that the Red Sox are keen on acquiring swing-and-miss.
Sweet represents organizational bullpen depth for the Red Sox that doesn't cost a thing in the grand scheme. Alone, his arrival seems irrelevant. But if you see Sweet packaged with another arm or two in a trade in July, don't be surprised. Given how this offseason has transpired, we're starting to understand how Boston's front office operates. Every new arm is consequential.