The Red Sox officially announced they’re picking up the $8.25 million option on right-handed reliever Garrett Whitlock. The news was first reported by SoxProspects’ Andrew Parker.
Boston had the option to buyout Whitlock for $1 million which would have allowed him to become a free agent. Instead, they made one of their easiest offseason decisions to bring him back into the fold.
Whitlock was outstanding in the back end of the Red Sox’ bullpen in 2026, serving as the primary setup man for All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman. The right-hander posted a 1.72 ERA across 54 appearances, striking out 59 batters while issuing just nine walks over 52 1/3 innings.
He had 26 holds and four saves and from May 1 while recording a 1.31 ERA which ranked third in baseball over that span.
The Red Sox are exercising Garrett Whitlock’s 2027 club option, I’m told.
— Andrew Parker (@ByAndrewParker) November 1, 2026
Whitlock’s 2026 campaign wasn’t without injuries. The right-hander spent time on the injured list from May 28 to June 9 after hyperextending his knee when he slipped on a wet mound at Fenway Park. He returned to the injured list from Aug. 13-29 with elbow inflammation, which subsided down the stretch.
It was later revealed that Whitlock had suffered a fractured tibia and pitched through the injury during the final month of the season. Although the injury did not require surgery, Whitlock was placed in a walking boot, which was visible in an Instagram story posted by his wife in October.
Garrett Whitlock with some type of boot on. Not the same leg as his knee injury from over the summer. Notable. pic.twitter.com/nEENu0nhMv
— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) October 9, 2026
Despite the injuries, Whitlock is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.
Whitlock is coming back for his seventh season with the Red Sox. He will be part of a bullpen that’ll include Chapman, Tyron Guerrero, Greg Weissert, Justin Slaten, Erik Miller, Wyatt Olds, Tyler Samaniego, and Zack Kelly, providing the Sox tender him a contract.
The Red Sox had until Monday to decide whether to exercise Whitlock’s option. He’s nearing the end of his $21.75 million extension he signed back in 2022 back when Chaim Bloom was in charge of the front office. His deal includes options for both 2027 and 2028. Boston will have a $10.5 million club option or $500,000 buyout for 2028.
Garrett Whitlock returns with a scoreless 1-2-3 8th inning. Picked up a strikeout. Good to have him back. pic.twitter.com/uekknNPDJ2
— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) August 29, 2026
Whitlock is a prime candidate for a potential extension and could be the closer of the future after Chapman’s deal is up with the Sox.
Once the World Series concluded, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow wasted little time getting to work, trading outfielder Nate Eaton to the Athletics for a minor league pitcher and infielder Tsung-Che Cheng to the Tigers for cash considerations.
The moves cleared two spots on Boston’s 40-man roster, but the Red Sox still need to open at least two more to accommodate players returning from the 60-day injured list.
Sonny Gray and the Red Sox declined the $30 million mutual option this week resulting in him becoming a free agent. He should have a robust market after winning 18 games and anchoring the Red Sox rotation this season. The only other pitcher to win 18 games this season was Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez.
Sonny Gray’s mutual option was declined and he will receive a $10 million buyout.
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) October 30, 2026
He is now officially a free agent coming off a season in Boston where he put up a 2.72 ERA across 169.0 IP. pic.twitter.com/PB9jy5jgNG
Gray posted a 2.72 ERA and 1.15 WHIP while holding opponents to a .236 batting average across 29 starts. He struck out 149 batters and walked 46 over 169 innings despite missing several starts early in the season with a hamstring injury.
He joins former teammates Patrick Sandoval and Isiah Kiner-Falefa on the free-agent market after both elected free agency Thursday.
The Red Sox made additional moves signing right-handers Patrick Halligan and Angel Bastardo to minor league contracts for the 2027 season.
Very impressive outing from Red Sox RHP Angel Bastardo: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K. 18p/13s, 4 whiffs. FB 97-98, CH 88-90, SL 88-91, CB 82. Commanded entire arsenal. CH is a MLB quality secondary. In July 10 IP with 14 K:0 BB. No. 22 prospect in @BaseballAmerica Red Sox Top 30. pic.twitter.com/5HYfMCb2aV
— Ian Cundall (@IanCundall) July 22, 2026
Halligan spent most of the 2026 season with Double-A Portland, where he earned Eastern League Pitcher of the Week honors in May. He posted a 4.29 ERA with 78 strikeouts over 56 2/3 innings before making 10 relief appearances for Worcester, recording a 5.66 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings.
Bastardo made 40 relief appearances for Worcester this season, Bastardo posted a 4.64 ERA with 73 strikeouts and 33 walks across 54 1/3 innings. Opposing hitters managed a .212/.326/.378 slash line against him.
Both could figure into the bullpen plans over the course of next season when the Sox inevitably need arms due to injury.
One wrinkle with Bastardo is he’s eligible for the Rule 5 Draft in December. This is the second time he’s eligible for the draft after being selected by the Blue Jays in Dec. ‘24.