While the Boston Red Sox already upgraded their rotation by acquiring left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox, they should still be looking to add more.
Free agent starter John Means is another pitcher that the Red Sox are reportedly interested in bringing in this offseason, according to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.
Means, 31, was an 11th-round pick of the Baltimore Orioles in the 2014 MLB draft and debuted with the club in 2018. He’s been great when he’s been healthy, earning All-Star honors in 2019 and posting a 3.68 ERA, 1.050 WHIP and 7.5 K/9 in 78 career starts.
However, Means has had Tommy John in 2022 and 2024 which has limited him to just 10 starts since 2021, and considering the surgery he had earlier this past season was in June, there’s a strong chance he missed all of 2025.
Boston could do what they did with a few pitchers recently (including James Paxton and Liam Hendriks) and sign him to a multi-year deal with the knowledge that he’ll miss time and be able to rehab with the club.
Then, if and when he’s ready to pitch again, he’ll be on an inexpensive deal, and if he returns to form, it will be a steal.
This is something the Red Sox should consider, but considering his past, they shouldn’t hope to get him back to the All-Star level he was before the injuries. It also shouldn’t be the only move they make to improve their rotation this offseason. Corbin Burnes and Roki Sasaki are still out there. Work to bring them in while looking at these bargain bin deals as well.
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