Wednesday, January 2, 2019

In Low-Risk Move, Red Sox Re-Sign Reliever Carson Smith To Minors Deal

(Getty Images)
Reliever Carson Smith—who elected free agency last November—has been re-signed by the Red Sox to a minor-league deal. The terms of the agreement are unclear—even whether or not Smith will be invited to big-league camp this Spring. Apparently, the free-agent waters were not too warm for Smith—who pitched 'OK' in 2018 in very limited action (14.1 innings. 3.77 ERA). If he regains his health in 2019—a big if—he could be a significant contributor to a re-configured Boston bullpen (with the departures of Joe Kelly and probably Craig Kimbrel). Smith was acquired from Seattle in 2015 for Wade Miley, and has only pitched 23.2 innings since then. If Smith and Tyler Thornburg (another disappointing relief pick-up) can return to their pre-injury days, things could be pretty interesting at the back-end of the Boston bullpen.