Spring Training is underway and the Red Sox will be playing games over the next month to determine who makes the Opening Day roster, and who will be starting the season in the minor leagues.
Questions surround this Red Sox team, including “Will top prospects Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell or Marcelo Mayer make the Opening Day roster?” or “How will the infield look on Opening Day after the Rafael Devers dramatics?”
We will see these questions start to be answered as the month of March arrives, but some former Red Sox have yet to find a home heading into the 2025 season.
Two names were crossed off this list in the past few weeks, with Kenley Jansen signing with the Los Angeles Angels and Nick Pivetta signing with the San Diego Padres.
Whether it’s due to a decline in play or age concerns, some former Red Sox are yet to be signed who would make a positive addition to a plethora of MLB clubs.
1. J.D. Martinez, DH
Martinez, 37, had been one of the games best hitters in his prime. His ability to spray the ball all over the field and stay disciplined at the plate led him to finishing 4th in AL MVP voting in the 2018 season as a member of the Red Sox.
Fast forward to 2025, Martinez saw his hitting numbers decline in 2024 after posting a .235/.320/.406 slash line with the Mets last season. Those numbers were a serious downgrade from 2023, where Martinez hit .271/.321/.572 with 33 home runs for the Dodgers en route to an All-Star selection in his age-35 season.
It isn’t for a lack of trying for Martinez, who recently claimed he wants to play in 2025 and could benefit playoff-contending teams because of his productive bat and mentorship toward young hitters.
A few interesting position players/hitters are still free agents: Verdugo, Rizzo, Iglesias, JD Martinez, McCann, Peralta, Merrifield, Grossman Carpenter
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 24, 2025
Martinez may have his best hitting years behind him, but the former Red Sox will more likely than not be rostered at the end of the season. A down year in 2024 could be a sign of things to come for Martinez, but it could also be an outlier after Martinez was an All-Star in ’21, ’22 and ’23.
Justin Turner recently signed with the Cubs at age 40, as Martinez shouldn’t have a hard time landing a job in the coming weeks.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have been viewed as a potential suitor for the 37-year-old after the team lost Joc Pederson in free agency.
2. Alex Verdugo, OF
Verdugo is another name that is still on the free-agent market as the MLB regular season is set to kick off in less than a month.
Acquired from the Dodgers in the Mookie Betts trade, “Dugie” spent 4 seasons with Boston and became a fan favorite due to his extravagant accessories and personality on the field.
Over those four seasons with the Red Sox, Verdugo posted an 8.2 WAR and a .281/.338/.424 slash line. In the 2021 postseason, Verdugo went 13 for 42 (.310) at the plate with one home run and 6 RBIs as the Red Sox reached the ALCS.
Verdugo was then traded from the Red Sox to the Yankees in December 2023. In his lone season in pinstripes, Verdugo struggled as he posted a .233 batting average, the lowest since his rookie season with the Dodgers.
A disappointing 2024 season with the Yankees leaves Verdugo without a home as Spring Training begins. Given his age (28) and ability to hit for contact in previous seasons, it shouldn’t be long before Verdugo is signed. He would be able to step in as a depth outfield piece for many teams.
With Giancarlo Stanton battling an elbow injury, it may be wise for the Yankees to look Verdugos way in a reunion. After all, Verdugo could grow his beard back with New York after the longtime Yankees grooming rule was ended last week.
3. Adam Duvall, OF
The 36-year-old Duvall played his only season with the Red Sox in the 2023 season. One of Duvall’s best moments in Boston came when he hit a walk-off home run over the Green Monster on April 1st, 2023 against the Orioles.
Although the stint in Boston was short, Duvall was still able to belt 21 home runs and 58 RBIs across 353 plate appearances.
With the Red Sox crowded outfield consisting of Duran, Yoshida and Rafaela among others, Duvall felt it would be best to try his luck in free agency, where he signed a one-year deal the Braves after his lone season with Boston.
After one of his worst seasons statistically in 2024 as part of the Atlanta Braves, Duvall is still without a home heading into this season.
Last season, Duvall had an abysmal .182/.245/.323 slash line across 330 plate appearances. Once a valuable power bat in the middle of lineups, the one-time All-Star has seen regression over the past 3 seasons and will hope to recapture some of that production he had during the middle of his career.
Much like J.D. Martinez, Duvall’s age is starting to show, as his days of being an everyday outfielder seem to be over. With that being said, a team will likely take a chance on Duvall as a depth piece as the season unfolds.
