The Red Sox, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today and MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, are expressing interest in reliever Ryne Stanek, joining other teams in pursuing the right-hander. Stanek, 32, is seen as a candidate for a rebound, having delivered a somewhat average performance with the Astros last season. Over 50 2/3 innings, he posted a 4.09 ERA with a league-average 23.9% strikeout rate, a slightly elevated 9.9% walk rate, and 1.42 home runs per nine innings.
Despite his recent performance, Stanek’s history before 2023 and his consistently high velocity make him an intriguing prospect. Two seasons ago, he boasted an impressive 1.15 ERA over 54 2/3 innings. Over the span of 2018-2022, he maintained a strong 3.16 ERA, striking out over 28% of opponents while playing for the Rays, Marlins, and Astros.
Stanek’s ability to throw hard, consistently reaching above 98 MPH, remains one of his strengths. Although his strikeout numbers dipped last year, he continued to be a challenging pitcher to face, inducing a swinging strike on 14.7% of his pitches, placing him among the top 50 relievers in MLB (minimum 30 innings) in that category.
Given Stanek’s age and his performance last season, it is expected that any deal for him would likely be limited to a two-year term. Both the Cubs and the Red Sox are reportedly interested, with the Cubs potentially viewing Stanek as a fit despite their recent tendency to avoid significant bullpen investments. The Red Sox, although historically more open to spending on relief, are reportedly working within financial constraints this offseason. A deal for Stanek is seen as manageable for either team.
While the Cubs may have a greater need to strengthen their bullpen, the Red Sox already have effective veterans like Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin. However, the potential addition of Stanek could further enhance their relief options for the upcoming season.
