red sox and right-handers Robert Stock According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive, the two sides have agreed to a minor league deal and an invitation to major league spring training. Naranjeros de Hermosillo, the Mexican winter team that Stocker played for, had previously announced that Stocker would leave to undergo a physical with the Red Sox.
Stocker is 35 years old and has some major league experience. He pitched 72 2/3 innings over four seasons from 2018 to 2021 with the Padres, Red Sox, Cubs and Mets. He allowed 4.71 points per nine games. His strikeout rate of 23.1% was about average and his ground ball rate of 49.8% was also high, but his walk rate was also a whopping 12.2%. His fastball averaged 96-98 mph at the time.
He hasn’t been in the major leagues in a few years but has excelled elsewhere. He spent 2022 in South Korea, starting 29 games for the Doosan Bears of the KBO League and posting a 3.60 ERA. That was enough to give him another chance in affiliate ball, as he signed a 2023 minor league deal with the Brewers.
In 2024, he signed with Tecos de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League. He started 19 games, pitched 98 2/3 innings, and had a 3.38 ERA. As mentioned earlier, he has been playing winter ball with the Naranjeros and put up excellent numbers there. He pitched 84 1/3 innings in 14 starts and had a 1.60 ERA.
It wouldn’t hurt for the Red Sox to bring him over on a minor league deal to see how he performs in training camp. He’s been a reliever for most of his career but has only started as a starter in recent years, so he should be able to provide the club with non-roster depth in both areas.
Boston plans rotation Garrett Crochet, tanner hawk, Brian Bello, Kurt Crawford and Walker Buehlerand Lucas Giolito He also recovered from elbow surgery at some point this year. There’s a lot of talent there, but there’s also a lot of question marks. In the bullpen, they lost Kenley Johnson and Chris Martin Become a free agent even though they have already signed free agents Aroldis Chapman and Justin Wilson. they are also ready to get Liam Hendricks and Garrett Whitlock Long-term absence due to elbow surgery.
