The Boston Red Sox made the expected call on Garrett Whitlock, picking up his 2027 club option and keeping one of their most reliable bullpen arms in place.
Andrew Parker of SoxProspects.com reported the move on Sunday, writing on X, "The Red Sox are exercising Garrett Whitlock’s 2027 club option, I’m told."
It was the kind of decision that never seemed in doubt. Whitlock’s option was worth $8.25 million, and Boston had already let Sonny Gray walk by passing on his $30 million mutual option. With free agency getting underway, the Red Sox had two early choices to sort through, and this one lined up cleanly.
Whitlock has been a major win for Boston since signing a four-year, $18.75 million deal that included club options for 2027 and 2028. In 2026, he appeared in 54 games and posted a 1.72 ERA with a 59-to-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 52 1/3 innings. Across six big league seasons, he owns a 2.93 ERA and has established himself as one of the best set-up relievers in baseball.
The option news came a few days after the World Series ended between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays. That delay had some Red Sox fans waiting, but there was no real suspense attached to the outcome. All option decisions had to be made within five days of the World Series, with the deadline falling Monday afternoon.
Now Whitlock is staying put, Gray is headed to free agency, and Boston has already made two trades as the offseason starts to pick up. Beginning Monday, free agents can sign with major league clubs, and the pace around the league is expected to quicken fast. A potential lockout in December is also looming, less than one month away, which adds another layer to the rush.
The quiet stretch is ending. The decisions are in, and more moves are coming.
In Other News...
Red Sox May Be Losing Sonny Gray For A Reason Fans Feared
Sonny Grays time in Boston now looks like it may have ended with more friction than closure. After the Red Sox declined his $30 million mutual option following the 2026 season, the veteran right-hander hit free agency, and the backdrop matters here: Gray finished the year on a contentious note with manager Chad Tracy, a finish that did little to make a reunion feel inevitable.
There is still a path for the Red Sox to bring him back, but it does not sound like a simple one. Gray has not indicated interest in returning, and the market could complicate matters further, with the Braves, Cubs and Blue Jays all mentioned as possible suitors who might be willing to go beyond what Boston wants to spend. For a club that could use stability on the mound, the question now is whether this is a clean break or just the start of a bidding war it may not want to win. [Read more 🡒]
Red Sox Are Suddenly Linked To A Move That Could Shake The AL
The Red Sox have already shown they plan to stay busy as the offseason opens, and the trade market is expected to remain part of their plan as free agency gets underway. With Boston looking for ways to keep improving, the club is now being mentioned in connection with one of the sports most electric young talents, a possibility that would instantly change the conversation around the roster.
Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com has floated the idea that Boston could pursue a trade for Cincinnatis Elly De La Cruz, a name that would bring plenty of attention anywhere it lands. It is still only speculation, but it underscores how aggressively the Red Sox are being discussed this winter and why any move involving a player of that caliber would be viewed as one of the most significant swings in the American League. [Read more 🡒]
Red Sox Defense Just Sent A Powerful Message About This Roster
The Red Sox got a clear reminder of how much value they can squeeze out of run prevention when Caleb Durbin, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu were all recognized for their work in the field. Durbin picked up the first Gold Glove of his career at third base, while Rafaela continued to establish himself as one of the leagues steadiest center fielders with a second straight award.
Abreus latest honor was just as notable, giving him three Gold Gloves in a row in right field and reinforcing what Boston already knew about its outfield defense. Put together, the three awards say plenty about the shape of this roster, with the Red Sox now able to point to elite gloves across the diamond as a real part of their identity. [Read more 🡒]