February 20, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Fort Report: Bregman signing strenthens roster, invites lineup questions
Alex Bregman signs
In a clear attempt to get some value from what had previously been an underwhelming return on their 2012 draft class, the Red Sox signed their 29th-round pick to a three-year deal with opt-outs after each season. More than just a signal that the Red Sox are again able to land high-end free agents, Alex Bregman adds some punch to the lineup while also helping to solidify the infield defense. Which specific part of the defense he'll be solidifying will remain a topic of conversation throughout the time in Fort Myers. To clear a spot for Bregman on the 40-man roster, Boston placed pitcher Patrick Sandoval on the 60-day injured list.
SoxProspects.com Top 60 countdown kicks off
Be sure to follow along on our social media pages (notably Twitter, BlueSky, and Instagram) as we count down the top prospects in the system. The series began on Monday with 60th-ranked Austin Ehrlicher and continues daily.
Penrod gets MRI on elbow, Matt Moore get MILB deal
One of camp's first notable injuries was reported Thursday, as left-handed pitcher Zach Penrod experienced elbow soreness after throwing. The 20th-ranked prospect in the system was sent for an MRI. Penrod allowed one earned run in four innings across seven appearances last September after an impressive campaign with Worcester and Portland. If healthy, he would be a likely candidate for a depth role on the major league squad. Seemingly in response to the Penrod news, Boston signed veteran hurler Matt Moore to a minor league deal with an invite to major league spring training. Moore had his best season as a starter for Tampa Bay back in 2013, going 17-4 with a 3.29 ERA, earning All-Star recognition. Boston's successful run through the playoffs that October began by knocking Moore around for eight runs in the first game of the American League Division Series. Working mostly as a reliever since 2018, Moore, 35, has over 1100 major league innings across 369 appearances.
Additional transactions
- Right-hander Adam Ottavino returns to the organization after spending three season with the Mets. The Northeastern University product was a key part of the Red Sox bullpen in 2021 before fading late in the season.
- The Red Sox also inked outfielder Trayce Thompson. The son of 1980's Spurs and Lakers center Mychal Thompson and brother of longtime Golden State Warriors star Klay, Thompson was a second-round pick of the White Sox in 2009. He had a strong major league debut with Chicago in 2015, hitting .295/.363/.533 in 44 games, but has bounced around since being dealt to Los Angeles that winter as part of the three-way deal for Todd Frazier.
- Left-handed pitcher Erik Rivera also got a minor league deal. A 2019 fourth-round pick of the Angels, he appeared in only 18 games as a professional after the 2020 minor league season was canceled because of COVID and a UCL sprain that knocked him out for 2021 and most of 2022. He had a 3.31 ERA in 10 appearances (eight starts) with the High-A Tri-City Dust Devils last season before getting he was released in July
- Four members of the 2024 Red Sox pitching staff signed with other organizations in the past week. Most notably, the Padres deal with Nick Pivetta became official. Boston will receive a draft pick after the second competitive balance round as compensation; Kenley Jansen reached a deal with the Los Angeles Angels, becoming their likely closer; Lucas Sims, acquired at the 2024 deadline for Ovis Portes, joins the Washington Nationals; Fellow 2024 deadline acquisition Luis Garcia reportedly has a minor league deal with the Dodgers.
Top prospects impressing around the Fort
The Bregman signing and impact on where Rafael Devers will play have gotten most of the ink in the early days of spring training, but the presence of the organization's three top prospects has not gone unnoticed. Chris Cotillo of MassLive points out that Kristian Campbell and his development will also have an impact on where Bregman ends up defensively, while Alex Cora drew comparisons between the 22-year-old and veteran outfielder George Springer. Roman Anthony continues to find himself at or near the top of several publications' prospect lists, including Keith Law of The Athletic, who ranked him first overall while touting his profile as a "best player in the league" type. Meanwhile, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald highlighted shortstop Marcelo Mayer, and his "more chill" demeanor in 2025.
Where are they now?
As usual, the first week of camp has some familiar names and faces popping up around the league. A rundown:
- Michael Chavis has joined the Dodgers on a minor league deal. The 2014 first-round pick joins Boston's other 2014 first rounder, Michael Kopech, in Los Angeles. Chavis appeared in 113 Triple-A games in 2024 in the White Sox' and Mariners' systems.
- Catcher Ronaldo Hernandez signed with the Yankees on a minor league deal. Hernandez appeared in 303 games between Portland and Worcester over three seasons from 2021 through 2023, but did not break through to the majors.
- Kyle Hart returns stateside after a dominant 2024 season in Korea. Hart got a major league deal from the Padres after winning the Dong-won Choi Award as the best pitcher in the KBO, going 13-3 with a 2.69 ERA, 182 strikeouts, and 38 walks across 26 starts.
- The South Bend Cubs, Chicago's High-A affiliate in the Midwest League, announced a pair of former Boston prospects will be on their staff. Nick Lovullo will manage the squad, while Nate Spears will serve as hitting coach.
- Concluding with the best news of the week, 1976 draft pick, five-time batting champion, World Series winner, and Hall of Famer Wade Boggs rang the bell as he was declared cancer free.
Photo Credit: Roman Anthony by Kelly O'Connor