Red Sox Taking Chance On Former All-Star, Rookie Of The Year To Add Depth

Boston is taking a chance on a former All-Star

The Boston Red Sox continue to add depth around the edges with upside.

Boston had been busy this offseason adding depth throughout the organization and did so again Thursday by signing former 2016 American League Rookie of the Year Michael Fulmer, according to MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo. 

"Per (Major League Baseball) transactions log, Red Sox have signed Michael Fulmer to a minor league deal," Cotillo said. "He had UCL revision surgery in March so likely out all of 2024. Bet that’s a 2-year minor league deal. All-Star in 2017."

Fulmer likely won't be able to pitch in 2024, but he's an interesting player to take a chance on for when he's able to return to the mound. He was a first-round draft pick by the New York Mets in the 2011 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft but made his big league debut with the Detroit Tigers in 2016. 

The righty shined in his first year with a 3.06 ERA in 26 starts en route to taking home the Rookie of the Year award. He followed it up with an All-Star campaign in 2017 but has dealt with a plethora afterward. 

Fulmer transitioned to a bullpen role in 2021 and logged a 2.97 ERA in 52 appearances with a 73-to-20 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He appeared in 67 games in 2022 with the Tigers and Minnesota Twins and had a 3.39 ERA.

The veteran hurler joined the Chicago Cubs ahead of the 2023 campaign and had a 4.42 ERA in 58 appearances. He likely will miss the 2024 campaign, but if he can return to form, he could help Boston out of the bullpen or even the starting rotation in 2025. 

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