Red Sox roster move today.Red Sox have wasted little time making noise this offseason, though much of their activity has come via the trade route rather than free agency. Under the direction of their front office, the organization has focused on reshaping the roster through deals that address both immediate needs and long-term flexibility. While this approach has allowed Boston to improve in key areas, it has also left a few notable holes that still need to be filled as the offseason progresses.
Even with several high-profile free agents still on the open market, the Red Sox roster move today appear to be carefully weighing their next steps. One area that continues to stand out is the lineup, where the club could benefit from adding another impact bat capable of lengthening the order and providing consistent production. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has reportedly made that objective a priority, signaling that Boston is far from done when it comes to improving its offense.
At the same time, the pitching staff—particularly the bullpen—remains an area where incremental upgrades could make a significant difference. While Boston has assembled a group of relievers with intriguing upside, there is still a sense that the unit lacks balance, especially from the left side. That imbalance has prompted speculation that the Red Sox could look to free agency for a reliable southpaw to complement what they already have in place.
One such option was recently floated by FanSided’s Zachary Rotman, who predicted that Boston could pursue veteran reliever Danny Coulombe. On paper, Coulombe checks several boxes that align neatly with Boston’s needs. He is an experienced left-hander, has demonstrated the ability to be effective in a variety of bullpen roles, and may be available at a price point that fits comfortably within the Red Sox’s broader offseason plan.
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The need for a left-handed reliever in Boston’s bullpen is difficult to overlook. While the team does have several pitchers who throw left-handed within the organization, many of them are starters by trade or younger arms who may be better served continuing their development in more defined roles. Coulombe, by contrast, is a proven bullpen arm who understands how to prepare for frequent appearances and high-leverage situations.
During the 2023 season, Coulombe delivered one of the strongest performances of his career. Splitting time between the Minnesota Twins and the Texas Rangers, he posted an impressive 2.30 ERA across 55 appearances. His time with Minnesota was particularly eye-catching; in 40 games for the Twins, Coulombe recorded a microscopic 1.16 ERA, emerging as a dependable weapon against both left-handed and right-handed hitters.
While his stint with Texas was less dominant, it did little to erase the overall impression of his effectiveness. Relievers often experience fluctuations in performance due to small sample sizes, changes in usage, or adjustments to new environments. Even accounting for those struggles, Coulombe still demonstrated that he can contribute meaningfully to a bullpen over the course of a full season.
Injuries limited Coulombe’s availability in 2024, restricting him to just 33 appearances. However, when viewed in the context of his broader body of work, those setbacks appear more like a temporary obstacle than a long-term concern. Over the past three seasons combined, Coulombe has maintained a 2.47 ERA across 149 games, a stretch that underscores his consistency and reliability when healthy.
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For a Red Sox bullpen that has leaned heavily toward right-handed options in recent years, adding a pitcher like Coulombe could have a ripple effect throughout the pitching staff. Left-handed relievers are particularly valuable because of their ability to neutralize tough lefty bats in the middle of opposing lineups. Having that option available gives a manager more flexibility late in games, especially in tight divisional matchups where every matchup decision is magnified.
Boston has already brought in veteran closer Aroldis Chapman, whose power arm adds a clear late-inning presence. However, Chapman is best suited for the ninth inning, and relying on him as the primary left-handed option throughout the game would limit his effectiveness. The Red Sox would benefit from another southpaw who can handle innings earlier than the ninth, whether that means facing a pocket of left-handed hitters in the seventh or bridging the gap to the closer in the eighth.
Coulombe fits that role well. He is not necessarily being brought in to headline the bullpen, but rather to strengthen it in subtle yet meaningful ways. His ability to generate weak contact, limit hard hits, and keep runs off the board makes him an attractive complement to Boston’s existing relievers. Just as importantly, his experience allows him to adapt to different usage patterns without being overwhelmed by the pressure of high-stakes situations.
From a financial standpoint, Coulombe is also an appealing target. Unlike elite free-agent relievers who command multi-year deals and significant annual salaries, Coulombe figures to be more affordable. That matters for a Red Sox front office that is balancing the desire to contend now with the need to maintain payroll flexibility for future seasons. Signing a dependable reliever without overcommitting resources could be a smart piece of roster construction.
Over the course of his 11-year Major League career, Coulombe has compiled a 3.35 ERA and struck out 312 batters. While those numbers may not jump off the page in the way that elite closers’ statistics do, they paint the picture of a pitcher who has carved out a long and respectable career by doing his job effectively. Longevity itself is a testament to his adaptability and value.
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One area where Coulombe’s résumé is relatively thin is postseason experience. To date, he has logged just 1⅔ innings of playoff work, meaning he has not yet been tested extensively on October’s biggest stages. For some teams, that might be a concern. For Boston, however, it is unlikely to be a deal-breaker. Plenty of relievers break through in the postseason without extensive prior experience, and Coulombe’s regular-season track record suggests he could handle the challenge if given the opportunity.
What makes the potential signing particularly intriguing is how it intersects with Boston’s crowded starting rotation picture. The Red Sox roster move today currently have a surplus of starting pitchers, several of whom could theoretically be shifted into bullpen roles if needed. Left-handed arms such as Payton Tolle, Connelly Early, Kyle Harrison, and Patrick Sandoval have all been mentioned as possible bullpen options given the depth of the rotation.
However, converting starters into relievers is not always a seamless process. Some pitchers struggle to adjust to the different routines and mental demands of bullpen work, while others may be better served continuing to develop as starters, even if that means beginning the season in the minors. By signing a proven reliever like Coulombe, Boston could avoid forcing those decisions prematurely and allow its young pitchers to progress on a more natural timeline.
The rotation itself is shaping up to be competitive, with Garrett Crochet, Sonny Gray, Brayan Bello, and Johan Oviedo all expected to claim starting spots. With those four largely penciled in, there appears to be only one rotation slot truly up for grabs, further emphasizing how tight the competition will be.
That level of congestion makes bullpen clarity even more important. Knowing that there is a dependable left-handed reliever available allows the coaching staff to plan roles more effectively and reduces the temptation to shoehorn pitchers into unfamiliar situations. In that sense, Coulombe would not just be an addition; he would be a stabilizing presence.
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Ultimately, the Red Sox’s offseason strategy seems to be about calculated improvements rather than splashy, headline-grabbing moves. While fans may be eager for a major free-agent signing, the reality is that championships are often built on depth, balance, and smart roster management. Adding a pitcher like Danny Coulombe would not dominate the news cycle, but it could quietly address one of Boston’s most pressing needs.
As the offseason continues to unfold, Boston remains in an interesting position. The foundation of the roster is solid, the rotation has upside, and the lineup still has room to grow. By supplementing those strengths with targeted bullpen additions, the Red Sox could position themselves as a more complete and resilient team heading into the new season.
If Craig Breslow and the front office decide to move forward with a signing like Coulombe, it would signal a commitment to refining the roster at the margins—an approach that often separates good teams from great ones. For a franchise with postseason aspirations, that kind of attention to detail could make all the difference.
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