The Boston Red Sox may not have the opportunity to retain a free agent from their 2025 team.
Justin Wilson is considering retirement, per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon . They called it "unlikely" that the relief pitcher will play in 2026 unless he gets a good deal with a World Series contender.
Boston marked the seventh landing spot of Wilson's 13-year career when he signed a $2.25 million contract for the 2025 campaign. He delivered a 3.35 ERA, 57 strikeouts and 20 walks in his most innings (48 1/3) and appearances (61) since 2018.
Fellow lefties mustered an anemic .212/.292/.282 slash line against Wilson, but right-handers hit .306/.382/.439. He also struggled down the stretch, allowing six runs in his final six appearances.
Wilson remains a valuable left-handed specialist who just registered his best FIP (2.95) since pitching for the New York Yankees in 2015. The 38-year-old can still help most bullpens, and a reunion would make sense for the Red Sox as their primary southpaw before star closer Aroldis Chapman .
If he calls it a career, Wilson will retire with a 3.59 ERA in 562 innings. Only eight active pitchers have made more career appearances than his 648.
Danny Coulombe , Andrew Chafin , Taylor Rogers and Brent Suter represent some of the other top left-handed relievers available in free agency.
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