Weeks after they pulled off a blockbuster trade for lefty starter Garrett Crochet, the Boston Red Sox have added another southpaw to their rotation. But it'll be a while before he takes the mound for the first time.
Boston and former Angels pitcher Patrick Sandoval have agreed on a two-year, $18.25 million deal, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. Alex Speier of The Boston Globe later reported that the lefty will be paid $5.5 million for his upcoming shortened season and $12.75 million in 2026.
After six years in the Angels organization, the 28-year-old was non-tendered at the end of the 2024 campaign. He was one of the team's longest-tenured players. Sandoval underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2024, which prematurely ended his final season with Los Angeles. He expects to be able to pitch in the second half of the upcoming season.
Sandoval posted a 5.08 ERA with 81 strikeouts and 35 walks over 79.2 innings with the Angels in 2024. Despite his struggles with command, which resulted in a 24th-percentile walk rate last year, Sandoval has shown flashes of excellence in his career. In 2022, he pitched to a 2.91 ERA with 151 strikeouts over 148.2 innings.
Red Sox sign rehabbing lefty Patrick Sandoval to a two-year deal
Left-hander Patrick Sandoval and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a two-year, $18.25 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Sandoval, 28, is coming off Tommy John surgery and expects to return in the second half. He gets a strong deal with Boston looking toward 2026 as well.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 20, 2024
According to Speier, the Red Sox are still open to making other additions to their rotation after signing Sandoval. Boston still has an immediate need for starting pitching depth and the arms in the American League East have only gotten better — the Yankees recently signed former Red Sox free agent target Max Fried and the Blue Jays and Orioles are two of the three clubs in the mix for Corbin Burnes.
Sandoval is the latest sign-and-stash deal in what has become a pattern for the Sox in recent seasons. They signed James Paxton in Dec. 2021 after he had Tommy John surgery when his second stint with the Mariners organization ended after just one game. He rehabbed for all of 2022, and posted a 4.50 ERA over 96 innings of work the following season.
Boston also signed Liam Hendriks ahead of the 2024 season after he underwent UCL repair surgery at the tail end of the 2023 campaign. The longtime closer is an example of the deal not exactly going to plan — his rehab lagged and Hendriks was unable to pitch for the Red Sox in 2024, despite his best efforts.
If the Red Sox can unlock 2022 Sandoval, this will be a steal of a signing for the team. The southpaw carries six pitches, and Boston's pitching coach, Andrew Bailey, may be able to refine his arsenal to help him unlock his best possible mix.
For now, though, the Sox will need more help in the first half. They've been active in the trade market, but there are still plenty of free agent arms available to help the Red Sox improve immediately and not six months down the line.