Former Red Sox Hurler Elects Free Agency, Opening Door For Possible Reunion

Boston could use another high-leverage reliever

Scott Neville | Nov 7, 2023

Former Red Sox Hurler Elects Free Agency, Opening Door For Possible Reunion /

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Much of the talk surrounding the Boston Red Sox this winter will be regarding the desperate need to improve the rotation ahead of Opening Day.

While that absolutely should be the priority, Boston would also benefit from adding another high-leverage reliever to pair with Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin.

Jansen clamored for a three-headed monster in the bullpen at the previous trade deadline but former chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom did not oblige. With Craig Breslow taking the reigns, he could get his wish. It might just be with a former Red Sox player who recently elected free agency.

"Adam Ottavino tried to engage the (New York) Mets over the weekend to redo his contract, but when they were disinterested, he decided to opt out of the $6.75 million he was owed for 2024 and become a free agent," The New York Post's Joel Sherman reported Monday.

Ottavino posted a 3.21 ERA with a 62-to-29 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .208 batting average against and 1.22 WHIP in 61 2/3 innings for the Mets last season. He also recorded 12 of 15 save opportunities and was one of a few bright spots in Queens a year ago.

The soon-to-be 38-year-old can still pitch and will likely seek a one-to-two deal, possibly with an option attached.

The Red Sox have the money to spend on short-term deals and should inquire about Ottavino this winter.

More MLB: 19 Best Free Agent Fits For Red Sox As They Attempt To Bolster Roster For 2024

Published Nov 7, 2023

SCOTT NEVILLE

Scott Neville covers the Boston Red Sox for Sports Illustrated's new page "Inside The Red Sox." Before starting "Inside The Red Sox", Neville attended Merrimack College, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media with a minor in Marketing. Neville spent all four years with Merrimack's radio station WMCK, where he grew as a radio/podcast host and producer. His propensity for being in front of a microphone eventually expanded to film, where he produced multiple short films alongside his then-roommate and current co-worker Stephen Mottram. On a journey that began as a way to receive easy credits via film classes, he received a call from "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" star Charlie Day. Day advised him to make a feature-length film, which he completed his senior year. While writing the film, Neville completed an internship for United Way as part of their NFL Partnership Program. Neville ran the blog for a team of interns and hosted an internet show called "United Way's NFL Partnership Series" where he interviewed NFL alumni. After college Neville wrote for SB Nation's "Over The Monster," a Red Sox sister site of the flagship brand. His work would eventually lead him to a job as a content producer with NESN, where he would cover all sports. After developing as a writer with the top regional network in the world, he was given the opportunity to join the Sports Illustrated Media Group in his current endeavor as the publisher of "Inside The Red Sox." The successful launch and quick rise of "Inside The Red Sox" led to Neville joining the Baseball Essential ownership group, a national baseball site under SIMG. Follow him on Twitter: @ScottNeville46 Email: nevilles@merrimack.edu