Left-handed pitcher Justin Wilson has reached an agreement with the Boston Red Sox on a one-year contract valued at $2.25 million, according to a reliable source familiar with the situation.
The source requested anonymity due to the pending completion of a physical examination that will finalize the deal.
In addition to his base salary, Wilson has the opportunity to earn up to $750,000 in performance bonuses tied to the number of games he pitches. Specifically, he can earn $150,000 for appearing in 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 games during the season.
Furthermore, the Red Sox have appointed Chris Holt as the new bullpen coach, furthering the team’s strategic moves for the upcoming season.
The 37-year-old Wilson had a challenging season with the Cincinnati Reds, posting a record of 1-5 alongside an earned run average (ERA) of 5.59 over 46 and two-thirds innings in 60 games. Throughout the season, he recorded 51 strikeouts while walking 13 batters. Wilson played under a base salary of $1.5 million and added an additional $1 million in performance bonuses after reaching 60 game appearances.
Wilson’s previous season in 2022 was largely marred by an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery, limiting him to just five appearances. He was set to make his return with the Milwaukee Brewers on July 28, 2023, but unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending lat injury while warming up in the bullpen.
A seasoned veteran with 12 years in Major League Baseball, Wilson has a career record of 34 wins and 29 losses, a 3.61 ERA, and 20 saves among teams including the Pittsburgh Pirates (2012-2014), New York Yankees (2015, 2021), Detroit Tigers (2016-2017), Chicago Cubs (2017-2018), New York Mets (2019-2020), and the Cincinnati Reds (2021-2022).
Holt, now 45, joins the Red Sox after serving as the pitching coach for the Baltimore Orioles from 2021 to 2023. He has been with the Orioles since 2020, initially taking on the role of director of pitching. His experience also includes coaching in the minor leagues for the Houston Astros from 2014 to 2017, followed by a position as the assistant pitching coordinator in 2018.