Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow had an important job this offseason: fix the bullpen.
Red Sox fans were stoked when Breslow signed flamethrower Aroldis Chapman (who wouldn’t be?), but another bullpen addition that Breslow made flew under the radar, especially in hindsight.
When Breslow snagged 37-year-old reliever Justin Wilson on a one-year, $2.25 million deal on November 14, it seemed like a small bet on an older player who might not be as good anymore. But the 2025 season has shown that this was a smart choice.
On Sunday, FanSided’s Brandon Glick pointed out that Wilson should be getting more shine, as should Breslow for signing the former New York Yankees left-hander.
“Though far less celebrated than the signing of fellow lefty reliever Aroldis Chapman, Breslow’s decision to ink soon-to-be 38-year-old Justin Wilson to a one-year pact has proven to be a stroke of genius,” Glick wrote on Sunday.
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“In 36 innings this season, Wilson has authored a 2.75 ERA and 2.88 FIP, both of which rank second among current members of the bullpen behind only Chapman,” Glick continued. “The veteran southpaw has a 27.7% strikeout rate, his highest mark in a full campaign since 2018. He’s also generating soft contact at an extraordinary rate, hence his impressive expected stats despite a relatively high walk total (3.5 BB/9).”
“He’s hardly the most heralded member of the bullpen,” Glick added, “and he certainly doesn’t throw as hard as guys like Chapman or Jordan Hicks, but it’s hard to imagine who Alex Cora would have to rely on without Wilson.”
Contributions from guys like Wilson end up making the difference in postseason baseball, where winning happens along the margins. Over a 13-year career, Wilson has never been an All-Star, but the beauty of baseball is that he could be a crucial aspect of a championship team.
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The Red Sox, of course, are hoping that they are that team in 2025. First, they’ll have to get into the playoffs. So far, so good on that front. Entering Sunday, Boston was tied with the Seattle Mariners at the top of the American League Wild Card standings.
Wilson delivered 46 2/3 innings of work for the Cincinnati Reds last season, indicating that he still should have plenty of gas left in the tank heading into the final 30-plus games of the regular season schedule.
As has been the case all season long, Wilson will be ready when called upon by Cora.
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