The Boston Red Sox have bolstered their bullpen by signing right-hander to a-league deal, as reported by Ari Alexander of KPRC2. Adams, who pitched for the Oakland Athletics in 2024, adds depth to the Red Sox’s relief corps.
The Athletics acquired Adams from the New York Mets in a trade just before the season started, with Oakland sending cash to New York to resolve a roster crunch. Adams joined the A’s ahead of their final spring training game against the San Francisco Giants and made the Opening Day roster. He finished the season with a 1-2 record, a 3.92 ERA, and a 1.48 WHIP. While his ERA marked a career best for any season in which he pitched more than five innings, his 4.47 FIP and 12% walk rate suggest some underlying challenges. Despite this, Adams struck out 27.1% of opposing batters and played a key role in bridging games to closer Mason Miller.
The Red Sox are the fifth team for the 33-year-old in the past four years. Adams previously pitched for the Washington Nationals (2017-19) before being traded to the Seattle Mariners. He was later dealt to the San Diego Padres in 2020, signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks in free agency in 2022, and briefly joined the Mets in 2023 before being traded to Oakland.
Known for limiting hard contact, Adams held opponents to an average exit velocity of 85.1 mph in 2024, below the league average of 88.5 mph. His slider remained his go-to pitch, though its usage decreased to 73.8%, down from the high 80s in 2021 and 2023. With the A’s, he incorporated a four-seam fastball 23.9% of the time and experimented with a sinker in May, throwing it 19 times over the season.
Adams is perhaps best remembered for his animated “OMG” celebration during an August 13 appearance for the Mets, which drew mixed reactions. That outing turned out to be his final one of the year, as he landed on the injured list five days later with right forearm tendinitis. After the season, he was removed from Oakland’s 40-man roster and opted for free agency.
In the A’s clubhouse, Adams was known for his quirky personality, a trait often found among relief pitchers. He had a locker next to Mason Miller, further solidifying his role as part of the bullpen’s core.
Now with the Red Sox, Adams provides a depth option as the team aims to finish above .500 for the first time in four seasons and re-establish itself as a contender.
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