Alex Cora Gives Insight Into Red Sox’s First Offseason Addition

The Red Sox appear to be interested in big-game hunting this winter, but the club kicked off its offseason with an under-the-radar move.

Boston last Thursday signed relief pitcher Justin Wilson in free agency. Wilson is coming off a 2024 season with the Cincinnati Reds in which he posted a 5.59 ERA over 60 appearances. While the left-hander, who has spent time with seven teams dating back to his rookie season in 2012, doesn’t have numbers that jump off the page, Cora believes he could be a valuable contributor in 2025.

“He kind of struggled at the end, but early in the season, his stuff was really good,” Cora told reporters Saturday, per MassLive. “Obviously, we’ll make some adjustments here and there.”

Cora added: “Veteran. He has been doing it for a while. It’s a guy who, throughout the years, his name always pops up because of the stuff. The more the better. That’s the way I see it.”

The Red Sox’s bullpen is expected to look a bit different in the upcoming season than it did in the last campaign, so at a minimum, Wilson will have an opportunity to compete for a roster spot and a consistent role in spring training.