Just-in: Boston Red Sox sign a veteran righty to replace Dangerously injured Super Star
The Boston Red Sox are signing a veteran right-handed pitcher to the 40-man roster, just in time for Opening Day of the 2024 season.
Chase Anderson has agreed to a one-year major-league deal with the Red Sox, the team announced Sunday. Anderson, 35, is a veteran of 10 MLB seasons, bouncing around between seven other teams before joining Boston.
Anderson has 218 career appearances, 200 of them starts. He spent most of spring training with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but opted out of his deal. Anderson most recently pitched in the majors for the Colorado Rockies.
According to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe, the Sox view Anderson as a “multi-inning reliever who can add starting depth.” The team officially placed injured free-agent addition Lucas Giolito to the 60-day injured list to make room for Anderson on the 40-man roster, but he won’t be an immediate replacement for Giolito in the rotation.
In fact, the Sox have already named their five to begin the 2024 campaign: Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta, Kutter Crawford, Garrett Whitlock, and Tanner Houck round out the rotation for now. Anderson appears poised to be a long relief, spot-starter guy for Alex Cora, initially.
Anderson has posted a thoroughly unimpressive 6.19 ERA over the past four seasons, with 160 strikeouts in 192 innings. So, it would be surprising if he made any more than a middling impact. But if Anderson sticks to a permanent long relief role, perhaps he could be more effective in shorter bursts
Cora officially announced on Saturday that high-ranked prospect Ceddanne Rafaela has made the major-league squad coming out of spring training. The Red Sox’s fourth-best prospect and 76th overall at MLB.com, Rafaela made his major-league debut in the middle of the 2023 season and appears poised to take a step forward in 2024.
Rafaela will make immediate contributions with his speed and defense. He can play center field, second base, and shortstop, all potentially at a high level, and stole 36 bases in 108 combined minor-league games last season. He also had a strong spring at the plate, batting .281 with three homers and an .883 OPS in 62 plate appearances.
Casas confirmed to Alex Speier that the Red Sox offered him an extension around the same time as Bello. Basically, his camp didn’t agree with the numbers put on the table. But Casas also made it clear that he is “all-in” with Boston and wants to sign long-term. Sounds like he’ll need a better offer, though.
The Red Sox announced Sunday that they’ve released first baseman C.J. Cron just ahead of the start of the 2024 season. Cron had previously signed a minor-league deal with the team. The team appears well-set at first base, with Casas leading the way. Cora also said that Bobby Dalbec has a good chance to make the Opening Day roster.
