2025 Red Sox Pitcher Reportedly Considering Retirement
The Boston Red Sox may not have the opportunity to retain a free agent from their 2025 team.
Justin Wilson is considering retirement, per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon. They called it “unlikely” that the relief pitcher will play in 2026 unless he gets a good deal with a World Series contender.
Boston marked the seventh landing spot of Wilson’s 13-year career when he signed a $2.25 million contract for the 2025 campaign. He delivered a 3.35 ERA, 57 strikeouts and 20 walks in his most innings (48 1/3) and appearances (61) since 2018.
Fellow lefties mustered an anemic .212/.292/.282 slash line against Wilson, but right-handers hit .306/.382/.439. He also struggled down the stretch, allowing six runs in his final six appearances.
Wilson remains a valuable left-handed specialist who just registered his best FIP (2.95) since pitching for the New York Yankees in 2015. The 38-year-old can still help most bullpens, and a reunion would make sense for the Red Sox as their primary southpaw before star closer Aroldis Chapman.
If he calls it a career, Wilson will retire with a 3.59 ERA in 562 innings. Only eight active pitchers have made more career appearances than his 648.
Danny Coulombe, Andrew Chafin, Taylor Rogers and Brent Suter represent some of the other top left-handed relievers available in free agency.