New Red Sox Pitcher Explains Decision To Join Boston, Reveals Team's Yearslong Pursuit
New Red Sox Pitcher Explains Decision To Join Boston, Reveals Team's Yearslong Pursuit originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
It was first reported on Tuesday that the Boston Red Sox were signing veteran relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle to a minor-league contract.
Kahnle discussed his decision to join the Red Sox on Thursday, as well as the possibility of him being with Boston on Opening Day.
"It just looked like a good opportunity to make a big league team, especially a team that takes pride in winning," the right-hander said of joining Boston, according to MassLive's Chris Cotillo .
Kahnle also talked about how the Red Sox have been pursuing him in free agency for a number of years.
Cotillo reported that Boston made "reported, serious pursuits to land Kahnle" during both the Chaim Bloom and Craig Breslow eras.
Cotillo said the Red Sox "lost out" on the reliever's services to the Los Angeles Dodgers in both 2020 and 2022, and the New York Yankees in December 2022.
"I went to sleep thinking I was going to be playing with Boston then I flipped my mind in the morning," said of his decision to sign with the Yankees before the 2023 campaign. "It feels pretty cool. ... Alex (Cora) and the guys have tried to get me quite a few times I’ve been a free agent. It’s always been a destination I’ve wanted to play at, so the timing was right and they showed some interest again. I was happy to come aboard. It came down to Boston again and I was like, ‘I’ve gotta go.’ It’s the fourth time they’ve tried to come after me."
The 36-year-old's deal with Boston will pay him $1.5 million if he reaches the majors and includes another $250,000 in potential incentives, per Cotillo's report.
Kahnle has gone 11-19 with a 3.61 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 502 strikeouts across 436 2/3 big league innings covering 456 career games.
He went 1-5 with a career-high nine saves, 4.43 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 50 strikeouts in 63 innings pitched (66 contests) with the Detroit Tigers last season.
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