After three straight seasons without a winning record, the Boston Red Sox are determined to turn things around in 2025, and an upgraded starting rotation is high on president of baseball operations Craig Breslow’s to-do list. One intriguing option? Future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander, who is expected to test the free-agent waters this winter. Sports Illustrated’s Patrick McAvoy believes Verlander could be an ideal fit for Boston, not just for his potential on the mound but for his value as a mentor. “Having him around Boston’s young starters could do wonders for their development,” McAvoy noted. “He’s a future Hall of Famer and one of the best pitchers of the last twenty years.”
Verlander’s 2024 season, however, was far from smooth. The 41-year-old struggled through injuries and posted a 5.48 ERA over just 90.1 innings, a sharp decline from his 3.22 ERA in 2023. Despite the rough year, Verlander isn’t contemplating retirement just yet, saying, “I do feel like I have a lot more to give pitching-wise… I needed to push the issue a bit [after a neck injury].” With a full winter to recover, he’s hopeful a return to form is possible, and he’s projected to seek a one-year, $13.9 million deal, according to Spotrac.
The Red Sox, meanwhile, seem primed to make a move for a dependable ace, with Breslow commenting on the value of having a game-changing starter to lead a rotation. While Boston already has emerging talents like Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, and Kutter Crawford, Breslow acknowledged that adding a frontline starter could elevate the team’s competitiveness. Beyond Verlander, free agency will feature top pitchers like Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, and Jack Flaherty, with Gerrit Cole and Blake Snell potentially joining the mix as well.
Verlander’s market may hinge on what the top-tier arms decide, but if the Red Sox miss out on these top options, they could turn to Verlander as a steadying veteran presence. Whether they’ll take that chance on a 42-year-old Verlander is still up in the air, but he could be the seasoned ace the Red Sox need for a postseason push.
