Matt Moore carefully examined his options this offseason before signing a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox last week.

Moore remained unsigned as teams began gathering for spring training after holding throwing sessions for a limited group of organizations. The Red Sox slid their offer across the table and made the left-hander their latest pickup, and when asked why Moore chose Boston, the 35-year-old provided a simple reason.

“As a player, it’s when there’s interest in you that’s stronger than maybe other spots,” Moore said, per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. “‘Hey, we think we can help you,’ or ‘Hey, we can see a fit for you here.’ I think that’s the stuff we want to hear as opposed to, ‘You can come try out.’ For me, I think it was just the interest level felt right.”

The past few seasons have tested Moore’s resistance, both on and off the field. He’s signed with six teams, including an NPB club, in the past seven years, all while transitioning from a full-time starting pitcher to a reliever. Moore hasn’t made a start since 2021 with the Philadelphia Phillies and recorded a 5.03 ERA over 51 appearances (48 1/3 innings) out of the bullpen last season with the Los Angeles Angels.

Moore, an All-Star in 2013 as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays, was also a former top-100 prospect alongside Mike Trout and Bryce Harper in 2011. But the turning point came in 2014 when Moore underwent Tommy John surgery, hampering his previous form as an elite top-end-of-the-rotation starting pitcher.

Boston chief baseball officer Craig Breslow took a flier on Moore, following a multi-month effort in which the team’s front office transformed its entire pitching staff.

With Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler and Patrick Sandoval among the new arms welcomed to Boston, the competition has risen this spring. The Red Sox will get a glimpse of what everyone, pitcher and non-pitcher, could bring to the table before manager Alex Cora and company begin finalizing the Opening Day roster.

That raises the stakes and amplifies the pressure across the clubhouse, but Moore has no problem with that. He’s all about the competition.

“I like being around guys like that,” Moore said. “It seems a little more relatable with where we’re at in age and where we’ve been. I haven’t played with any of these guys (except Lucas Giolito) but it’s easy to get the relationships going, especially with them, just because we played against each other and experienced the same type of stuff.”

Moore joins a list of non-roster invitees, which includes Adam Ottavino, Sean Newcomb, Jovani Moran, Michael Fulmer, Austin Adams, Isaiah Campbell and Wyatt Miles — all with a chance to make a bold impression this spring and carve out a bullpen spot