The Boston Red Sox are exploring ways to strengthen their starting rotation for the 2025 season, with veteran pitcher Justin Verlander emerging as a potential target.
After three consecutive non-winning seasons, improving the rotation is high on the agenda of Craig Breslow, the team’s president of baseball operations.
In an interview with SI.com, Patrick McAvoy emphasized Verlander’s potential value to the Red Sox.
“He [Verlander] should be a target for the Red Sox because of the fact that he certainly could bounce back and return to his 2023 form with good health,” McAvoy explained. “On top of that, having him around Boston’s young starters could do wonders for their development. Verlander is a future Hall of Famer and one of the best pitchers of the last twenty years. Having him as a resource for [Tanner] Houck, [Brayan] Bello, and [Kutter] Crawford every day could help take their game to the next level while giving Boston another dependable starter.”
Verlander is projected to sign a $13.9 million deal this offseason, despite a challenging 2024 campaign. After delivering a solid 3.22 ERA across 162.1 innings in 2023 with the Mets and Astros, the 41-year-old struggled in 2024, recording a 5.48 ERA in just 90.1 innings. His performance was hindered by multiple stints on the injured list.
Verlander, who will turn 42 in February 2025, remains committed to playing. Reflecting on the season, he told MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart on October 2:
“I do feel like I have a lot more to give pitching-wise. This year was a tough year, learned a lot from it. Obviously, I talked to you guys about how I was feeling coming back [from a neck injury] and how I needed to push the issue a bit.” He expressed optimism about using the offseason to fully recover, adding, “I’m not ready to step away yet.”
While Verlander’s market will depend on how other teams prioritize elite starters such as Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Blake Snell, and Gerrit Cole, the Red Sox may explore other high-profile acquisitions first.
Breslow hinted at targeting an ace, telling The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey:
“Every team in baseball is well served by having someone at the front of the rotation that can win a game when the team needs it, win a playoff game.”
If the Red Sox miss out on top-tier pitchers, Verlander might still become a viable option. He could also opt to return to the Astros or the Tigers, or consider a stint with the Baltimore Orioles, given his Virginia roots.
