The Boston Red Sox have made a move to bolster their bullpen depth by signing veteran reliever Tommy Kahnle to a minor league contract. This deal, reported by Jon Heyman, includes an invitation to spring training as a non-roster player. With a base salary of $1.5 million and an additional $250,000 in bonuses if he makes the MLB roster, Kahnle is looking for a fresh start in Boston.
Last season, Kahnle pitched for the Detroit Tigers under a $7.75 million free agent contract. Unfortunately, the season didn’t go as planned.
He posted a 4.43 ERA, with his strikeout rate dropping to a career-low 18.7%. The first half of the season showed promise, with Kahnle maintaining a 1.77 ERA and a respectable 23.3% strikeout rate.
However, things took a turn after July, as his ERA ballooned to nearly eight runs per nine innings, and his walks surpassed his strikeouts.
Interestingly, Kahnle’s pitch arsenal didn’t suffer a significant decline. His changeup remains his go-to pitch, thrown over 85% of the time-an unmatched rate in the league. Only Devin Williams, known for his "Airbender" changeup, comes close, using it 52% of the time.
Kahnle's approach has been effective for years, so the downturn wasn't due to hitters suddenly figuring him out. Instead, they became more disciplined, laying off pitches outside the zone, which led to fewer strikeouts and more walks.
Despite these struggles, the Tigers continued to trust him in high-leverage situations, although his playoff appearances were limited. In four postseason games, he allowed three runs (one earned) over 2 1/3 innings.
For the Red Sox, Kahnle represents a low-risk, high-reward opportunity. If he can regain his form, his unique pitching style could be a valuable asset in their bullpen.