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Former Red Sox pitcher Ryan Brasier has signed with the Rangers in free agency
The Boston Red Sox have had a polarizing offseason, to say the least. While the front office has been aggressive on the trade market, it has missed out on just about every single one of its top free agent targets. This includes its own third baseman, Alex Bregman, who ended up leaving Boston to sign a five-year, $175 million contract with the Chicago Cubs in free agency.
The Sox should still be a playoff contender in the American League, but their roster has holes all over the place at this point. Across the league, one of their old friends, relief pitcher Ryan Brasier, found a new home after a quiet year with the Cubs, as reports indicate he has signed with his hometown Texas Rangers on the open market.
Ryan Brasier Signs with Rangers in Free Agency
Ex-Red Sox news, per sources: Ryan Brasier is finalizing a deal with his hometown Rangers.
Brasier was limited to 26 innings with the Cubs last year and had a 3.17 FIP.
Brasier was a bit of a late bloomer when it comes to his career in the pros. While he briefly made his major league debut in 2013 with the Los Angeles Angels, he wouldn’t find his way back to the big leagues until 2018 with the Red Sox. Once he did, though, Brasier quickly became an instrumental part of the team’s bullpen.
The 2018 season was easily Brasier’s best, as he posted a 2-0 record with a 1.60 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 34 appearances, the majority of which saw him enter the game in high-leverage situations. He carried that momentum into the postseason, as Brasier posted a 1.04 ERA in nine appearances, helping Boston win its most recent World Series.
Since then, though, Brasier has struggled to recapture the magic he found in 2018. After winning another championship with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024, Brasier spent last year with Chicago, posting a 4.50 ERA in 28 appearances. Now, Brasier will return to his home state of Texas, as he has signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers.
“Ex-Red Sox news, per sources: Ryan Brasier is finalizing a deal with his hometown Rangers,” Chris Cotillo of MassLive reported in a post on X. “Brasier was limited to 26 innings with the Cubs last year and had a 3.17 FIP.”
Red Sox’s Roster Could Still Use Some Upgrades
Getty ImagesRed Sox Chief of Baseball Operations Craig Breslow
When Brasier’s stuff is on, he’s a lights-out pitcher, but his struggles with his command have prevented him from developing any sort of sustained success. He will look to carve out a role for himself in Texas’ bullpen, and while he wasn’t great for Chicago last season, Brasier still has value in high-leverage situations, assuming he’s able to find the strike zone.
As for Boston, it could benefit from adding some help to its bullpen, particularly in the form of a left-handed reliever. The lineup could use some rebalancing, too, as the Sox have a plethora of outfielders that could be used to help shore up their infield. With the offseason coming to a close, though, and the front office not appearing interested in being aggressive when it comes to upgrading this team, the Red Sox may have already done all of their offseason work.
Owen Crisafulli Owen Crisafulli is a Breaking News Writer at Heavy. In addition to writing for Heavy, Owen works as a Content Producer for More Views Media. His work has also appeared on ClutchPoints, The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, Basketball Network, and FanSided, where he shared his insights on a variety of sports topics primarily surrounding the NFL, NBA, and MLB. More about Owen Crisafulli
