Though teams haven’t been able to sign major-league free agents since the lockout began on Dec. 2, many minor-league free agents have been on the move throughout baseball. Somewhat quietly, the Red Sox have lost more than a dozen of them to other clubs, including some who reached the majors in 2022.
While Boston has re-signed some of its own minor-league free agents (Roldani Baldwin, Michael Gettys and Johan Mieses) and signed some from other teams (Taylor Cole, Michael Feliz, Roberto Ramos, Rob Refsnyder, Yolmer Sánchez, Christin Stewart and Izzy Wilson), the number of depth players who have departed is notable. It also speaks to the fact the Red Sox will have more homegrown, developing players at the upper levels of the minors than they have in recent years and may not feel the need to plug holes with free agents or other more experienced types.
Here are the minor-leaguers who have departed the organization since the end of the season:
RHP Colten Brewer — signed with Royals
Brewer, who had a 4.98 ERA in 70 appearances with the Red Sox over three seasons (2019-21), inked a minor-league deal with the Royals. Notably, the righty was the only external addition to the 40-man roster Dave Dombrowski made in the winter of 2018-19.
3B Yairo Muñoz — signed with Phillies
Muñoz was a bright spot in a short stint (.844 OPS in 12 games) in 2020 and ended up making five more appearances in 2021. The former Cardinal will continue his career with the Phillies after putting together a 35-game hitting streak in Worcester last season.
1B Josh Ockimey — signed with Phillies
Ockimey, who was drafted by the Red Sox in the fifth round of the 2014 draft and spent eight seasons in the team’s system, signed with his hometown Phillies. The slugger hit 15 homers for the WooSox in 2021.
RHP Yacksel Ríos — signed with White Sox
Ríos spent a good chunk of the summer in the Red Sox’ bullpen, posting a 3.70 ERA and striking out 21 batters in 24 ⅓ innings. He’ll compete for a spot in the White Sox’ pen this spring.
SS Jack López — signed with Tigers
López was a feel-good story in 2021, as the 29-year-old finally made his major-league debut after playing almost 900 games in the minors. He signed a minor-league deal with Detroit.
RHP Raynel Espinal — signed with Giants
Espinal led the WooSox in innings in 2021, posting a 3.44 ERA in 117 ⅔ innings. The former minor-league Rule 5 pick, like a few other players on this list, will be in camp with the Giants. He made one two-inning appearance for the Red Sox on Aug. 30.
LHP Stephen Gonsalves — signed with Cubs
Gonsalves, a former Twins top prospect, made three appearances with the Red Sox in 2021 and 22 (including 10 starts) for Worcester last year. A former member of the 40-man roster, he’ll start 2022 with the Cubs.
RHP Denyi Reyes — signed with Orioles
Reyes, 25, spent some time on the 40-man roster after being protected from the Rule 5 draft but never reached the majors in Boston. He has more than 200 innings at Double-A but never reached the minors’ highest level. He’ll hope to do that with the Orioles in 2022.
C Jhonny Pereda — signed with Giants
Pereda was acquired for the Cubs for reliever Travis Lakins before the 2020 season and spent two years with the organization. The 25-year-old split 2021 between Portland and Worcester. He signed with the Giants earlier this winter.
LHP Matt Kent — signed with Marlins
Kent was Boston’s 13th-round pick in 2015 and stuck with the organization for six seasons before hitting free agency and signing with Miami. The Texas A&M product reached Triple-A in 2018, 2019 and 2021.
RHP José De León — signed with Blue Jays
De Leon only made two appearances (both in rookie ball) after joining the Sox midseason. But the former Dodgers top prospect, who was traded to Tampa Bay for Logan Forsythe in Jan. 2017, is still just 29. The Blue Jays will look to unlock some of his talent in 2022.
LHP Enmanuel De Jesus — signed with Giants
De Jesus had been with the Red Sox since 2014 and posted a 3.94 ERA in 64 innings (59 in Portland, 5 in Worcester) last year. He signed with San Francisco.
1B Joey Meneses — signed with Nationals
Meneses is a former Braves prospect who hit .260 with a .767 OPS in 38 games for the WooSox while also making 50 appearances for Portland in 2021. He heads back to an NL East organization after signing with the Nationals.
RHP Matt Carasiti — signed with Giants
Carasiti is a Connecticut native who missed the entire 2021 season due to injuries. The former Rockies and Mariners righty also heads to the Giants.
RHP Jose Espada — signed with Brewers
Espada is a former Blue Jays fifth-rounder out of Puerto Rico. He was in High-A with the Sox in 2021, posting a 3.09 ERA in 43 ⅔ for Greenville. The righty signed with the Brewers.
LHP Alex Claudio — signed with Mets
Claudio has 352 big-league appearances with three different teams and ended up with the WooSox for a brief stint (8 games, 6.17 ERA) after being released by the Angels in 2021. His next stop is with the Mets’ organization.
Remaining minor-league free agents who spent time with the Red Sox organization in 2022: RHP Jose Adames, C Jett Bandy, RHP Seth Blair, RHP Brandon Brennan, RHP Austin Brice, 2B Chad De La Guerra, RHP Jose Disla, RHP Daniel Gossett, RHP Zac Grotz, LHP Matt Hall, C Chris Herrmann, SS José Iglesias, OF Tate Matheny, RHP Kevin McCarthy, INF Taylor Motter, LHP Tyler Olson, LHP Yorvin Pantoja, RHP Brad Peacock, LHP Bobby Poyner, SS Jeremy Rivera, RHP Marcus Walden
Related links:
Meet Niko Kavadas: Boston Red Sox prospect has big home run power and ‘chip’ on his shoulder
Ad Choices