The Boston Red Sox are gearing up for the 2026 season with big expectations, especially after their Wild Card Series exit last year. With a pitching staff poised to be one of the American League's finest, the Sox are still making strategic moves during spring training.
In a savvy addition, the Red Sox have inked veteran reliever Tommy Kahnle to a minor league deal. Kahnle's contract includes a $1.5 million salary with an extra $250,000 in bonuses if he makes it to the Major League roster.
At 36, Kahnle is looking to bounce back from a challenging season with the Detroit Tigers, where he struggled with control, walking 11.6% of batters over 63 innings. While his fastball now averages 93.5 mph, he's leaned heavily on his changeup, throwing it 86% of the time last year.
Kahnle's journey to potentially joining the Red Sox bullpen is an intriguing one. Despite remaining a free agent late into spring training, he stayed sharp by pitching two scoreless innings for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic. His experience and past success in the majors make him a prime candidate for a call-up if the Red Sox face injuries in their bullpen.
Debuting in 2014 with the Colorado Rockies, Kahnle has pitched 40 or more innings in six of his eleven seasons. If he starts the season at Triple-A, his track record suggests he could be a valuable asset for Boston as the season progresses.