Red Sox Reportedly Considering Forming 'Super Bullpen' in 2025 MLB Free Agency

Already boasting a strong group at the top of their starting rotation, the Boston Red Sox could look to solve some of their other pitching questions by building a deep bullpen.

Per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon, the Red Sox are exploring the idea of building a "super bullpen" by potentially signing another high-leverage reliever to complement Aroldis Chapman.

The report does note that Chapman would not be moved out of his role as the closer in such a scenario, but Boston's front office is intrigued by the idea of bolstering the late-inning options around him and Garrett Whitlock.

It was also pointed out that the Red Sox main priorities right now are finding a starter and infielder, especially with Alex Bregman hitting free agency after opting out of his deal.

Garrett Crochet proved himself as an ace in 2025 with a runner-up finish in AL Cy Young voting. Brayan Bello and Connelly Early slot in nicely behind him, but the staff is very unsettled behind that trio.

Kutter Crawford missed all of last season due to knee and wrist injuries. Patrick Sandoval, who signed a two-year deal with Boston as a free agent in December 2024, missed 2025 recovering from elbow surgery.

If the Red Sox decide to go all-in with their super 'pen idea, The Athletic did note Edwin Díaz is unlikely to be on their radar. He is believed to be seeking a deal similar to the five-year, $102 million contract he just opted out of with the New York Mets.

Sammon reported on Wednesday that the Red Sox are among the teams to express interest in Devin Williams. The right-hander is coming off a down year with a 4.79 ERA in 2025 as a member of the New York Yankees, but many of his peripheral stats were still very strong. He struck out 13.1 hitters per nine innings and had his best strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.60) since 2020.

As a result of his inflated ERA, opinions on Williams' free-agent value are all over the place. MLB Trade Rumors' contract prediction is on the high end at $68 million over four years. The Athletic's Tim Britton projected a one-year, $18 million deal for the two-time All-Star.

Boston already had the second-best bullpen ERA in MLB last season thanks in large part to Chapman (1.17 in 61.1 innings) and Whitlock (2.25 in 72 innings). Adding someone like Williams, who seems like a prime rebound candidate in 2026, to the mix would be formidable for any team to go against.