The news Tuesday that the Red Sox had agreed to a one-year deal with outfielder Adam Duvall, was not, in fact, news. Duvall's agreement, though not official until Tuesday, was widely reported and confirmed a week ago, requiring only a physical and some paperwork for it to be announced.
But the addition of Duvall required the Red Sox to create a space on their 40-man roster, and that's where the real news was found. To make room for Duvall, the Red Sox designated longtime reliever Matt Barnes for assignment.
Barnes had been the longest-tenured player in the organization, having made his debut in 2014. With Barnes presumably gone, only three players remain from the 2018 World Championship team -- third baseman Rafael Devers and pitchers Chris Sale and Ryan Brasier.
Barnes struggled mightily over the last few seasons. In fact, his decline seemed to coincide with the two-year contract extension he signed in the middle of 2021, as he was making his first All-Star team. The Sox signed him to a two-year, $18.75-million deal then, with a team option valued at $8 million for 2024 which includes a $2.25 million buyout.
The decision to DFA Barnes is especially strange considering there would seem to be less valuable pieces on the 40-man roster, including Kaleb Ort, Wyatt Mills and Ryan Brasier.
Chaim Bloom, the Red Sox' chief baseball officer, said the decision was a difficult one.
"It's a statement with where we're at on the 40-man roster,'' said Bloom in a Zoom call with reporters. "The conversation was one of the more difficult I've had...There are no easy decisions. It's just a question of where we were and how we saw the pen coming together.
"Everyone knows what his accomplishments are and how much he meant in this organization.''
Barnes, 32, had a 4.31 ERA and eight saves with the Sox last season. He missed two months with a shoulder issue and when he returned in August, pitched far better down the stretch, with a 1.59 ERA over his last 24 appearances. A first-round pick in the 2011 draft, he's second in franchise history in relief appearances and strikeouts.
He was also a strong postseason performer. In three trips to the playoffs and beyond, Barnes had a 2-0, 0.79 ERA in 12 appearances in 2016, 2018 and 2021.
The Red Sox now have seven days to try to trade Barnes, which seems highly unlikely unless they agree to take the majority of his 2023 salary back. He could also be claimed on waivers, also unlikely given the salary attached to him. Thanks to his service time (more than seven major league seasons), Barnes can refuse an assignment to the minor leagues and the Sox will still be responsible for his salary obligations. He could then sign elsewhere for the major league minimum, with the Sox paying the difference between $720,000 and the money owed to him.
It would appear the Red Sox are placing a premium on having a flexible bullpen to go with established relievers like newcomers Joely Rodriguez, Chris Martin and Kenley Jansen. A number of other candidates for the staff -- such as Ort, Franklin German, Zach Kelly and Kutter Crawford -- all have remaining options, allowing the team to shuffle the deck with a chunk of its relievers.
As for Duvall, Bloom said the team had discussions about acquiring him at the 2021 trade deadline and have long liked him, believing that his plus-power is a perfect fit for Fenway Park. He's projected to play mostly center field. Since the start of the 2016 season, Duvall leads National League outfielders with 59 defensive runs saved and is second in assists with 48.
"He has the ability to impact both sides of the game,'' said Bloom.
Duvall missed the second half of last season with a broken wrist, but Bloom indicated that the outfielder is a "full-go.''