Garrett Whitlock, one of baseball's best setup men, is staying at Fenway Park for another season. On Sunday, the Red Sox officially exercised his player option, opting in for another year at $8.25 million rather than letting him hit the open market. Given his performance on the mound over the years, this feels like a steal. He is one of the strongest arms on the pitching-first Boston roster, making up half of a top closing combo in the game. This is a relief in thinking about the team’s makeup come 2027.
In 52 innings in 2026, Whitlock posted a 1.72 ERA and struck out 59. His 0.90 WHIP was lethal. This performance remained consistent even as he battled various injuries. Garrett missed multiple stretches due to knee and elbow issues, but it didn't seem to affect him, and he had no undiagnosed problem with his tibia. The year further confirmed the remarkable pairing with closer Aroldis Chapman. Over the past two seasons, those guys have been the best Boston has to offer during close games. They were paramount to both recent playoff berths, even if they couldn't help much in the postseason. Whit appeared once in the two Wild Card games this year, allowing three runs amidst the 48 hours of chaos in the Bronx. Despite the season coming to a close, this, like other team pitchers, did not reflect his skill.
Thankfully, the six-foot-five mound presence is only 30 years old; he is worth investing in long-term. The same could not be said for Sonny Gray, who was put on the market this week. It’s a shame to see him go after the season he had, anchoring the starting rotation and becoming the winningest 2026 AL arm. Unfortunately, Gray, at 36, isn't a wise choice for another worthwhile year. These small additions and subtractions are likely to set the tone for the rest of the offseason. The front office has not said much about interest in a big trade or splashy signing. By all accounts, they feel comfortable running it back with a very similar core. One could litigate the wisdom of that call, but it’d be a lot harder to question bringing back Whitlock; that’s an easy one.
