A veteran pitcher from the Boston Red Sox is now a free agent. Boston had signed left-handed reliever Lucas Luetge to a minor-league deal for the 2024 season, but he never made it to the major leagues despite a strong performance with the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox. Luetge appeared in 31 games for Worcester, posting a 3.02 ERA.
It’s somewhat surprising that Luetge did not get an opportunity in the majors. As a result, he reportedly chose to opt out of his contract with Boston, according to MassLive.com’s Katie Morrison-O’Day.
“WooSox reliever Lucas Luetge has opted out and is now a free agent,” Morrison-O’Day reported. “Luetge was one of the more dependable relievers in the Worcester bullpen this season, with a 3.02 ERA in 31 games, 6 saves, and 10.2 strikeouts per 9 innings over 41 2/3 innings.”
Among Boston Red Sox’s various transactions over the past year, one stands out as particularly regrettable: the trade of starter Chris Sale. In late December 2023, the Red Sox traded Sale and cash to the Atlanta Braves for Vaughn Grissom. At the time, Sale was seen as a declining asset due to recent injury issues.
However, Sale’s value has significantly increased over the past eight months. The 35-year-old has remained healthy with the Braves and performed at a Cy Young level. He was named a reserve for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game, a fact that likely left Boston fans feeling discontented. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Red Sox organization is reportedly regretting the decision to trade Sale.
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora is known for his concern about player welfare.
This concern was evident after Triston Casas’s recent comments, in which he expressed feeling severe pain in his ribcage when swinging. Casas is currently rehabbing with the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox. Upon hearing about Casas’s remarks, Cora reached out to check on him, as reported by Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe.
“Sometimes I read things and wonder if we’re on the same page,” Cora said, according to Abraham. “That comment surprised me. We had a good conversation with Triston. He’s fine.”
Cora added, “It’s all in good fun, but when people ask if we’re taking care of this kid, I believe we’re doing everything right. So we talked to him, and hopefully, that’s the end of the concerns about injuries.”
