The Boston Red Sox head into Spring Training with a clear need in their bullpen - and a potential solution may have just landed in their lap.
After an offseason that saw a significant shakeup in their relief corps, Boston finds itself notably thin on left-handed arms. Brennan Bernardino and Chris Murphy, both of whom contributed in 2025, were shipped out in trades at the 40-man roster protection deadline. Free agency didn’t do them any favors either, with Justin Wilson and Steven Matz among the southpaws who either walked or weren’t brought back.
That’s left the Red Sox with one proven lefty in the bullpen: Aroldis Chapman, who’s locked in as the team’s closer. Beyond him, it’s a mix of untested options - Kyle Harrison showed flashes in a brief stint last September, Jake Bennett is still a top prospect without a big-league inning, and Payton Tolle may be ticketed for Triple-A to start the season.
Enter Anthony Banda.
The Dodgers designated the veteran left-hander for assignment on Friday, opening a window for teams in need of lefty relief help. For Boston, this is a no-brainer opportunity to address a glaring hole without giving up any assets.
Banda isn’t just a warm body - he’s coming off a strong 2025 campaign in Los Angeles, where he posted a 3.18 ERA over 65 innings across 71 appearances. That wasn’t a one-year fluke either.
Over the past two seasons, Banda has quietly been one of the more reliable left-handed relievers in the National League, compiling a 3.14 ERA and 1.23 WHIP while striking out 111 batters in that span. He’s held opposing hitters to a low batting average and consistently delivered in high-leverage spots.
Now, to be fair, there were some signs of regression last season. His walk rate ticked up, and his strikeout numbers dipped slightly. But even with those concerns, Banda still profiles as a highly capable middle-to-late-inning arm - especially in a bullpen that currently lacks balance from the left side.
And if there’s a coaching staff that can help Banda stay sharp or even take a step forward, it’s Boston’s. Pitching coach Andrew Bailey has built a reputation for maximizing talent, with a résumé that includes turnarounds and improvements from arms like Kevin Gausman, Anthony DeSclafani, Alex Wood, Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford, Justin Slaten, Justin Wilson, Lucas Giolito, and Aroldis Chapman himself.
From a roster-building standpoint, Banda’s availability is a gift. Because he was DFA’d, Boston could claim him without surrendering any prospects or draft picks.
And if he clears waivers, a minor-league deal with a Spring Training invite would still give the Red Sox a low-risk option with real upside. Given how well Banda has performed since 2024, though, waiting for him to clear may be a gamble.
This is a team aiming to stay in the thick of the AL East race, and every marginal improvement matters. With Toronto and New York expected to be in the mix, Boston can’t afford to let late-game leads slip away due to matchup disadvantages. Banda isn’t a flashy name, but he’s the kind of under-the-radar pickup that can pay dividends in the dog days of summer - and potentially in October.
If the Red Sox are serious about contending in 2026, this is the kind of savvy bullpen move that could make all the difference.