A bold reality check heads the piece: the Red Sox are once again banking on a low-profile reliever to shape their spring bullpen and possibly redefine their 2026 season.
Orlando, Fla. — In recent years, Boston has found success with Rule 5 selections who later carved out important bullpen roles, notably Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten. The club is hopeful history will repeat itself in 2026.
According to multiple MLB insiders, the Red Sox have acquired right-hander Ryan Watson in a deal tied to this week’s Rule 5 draft, sending infield prospect Justin Riemer to Oakland in return.
Watson, 28, stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 225 pounds. He spent 2025 at Sacramento, the Giants’ Triple-A affiliate, before Oakland plucked him with the eighth pick in this year’s Rule 5 draft. An Auburn product who went undrafted before signing with Baltimore in 2020, Watson posted a 4.26 ERA over 50 2/3 innings at Sacramento last season, with 64 strikeouts. His path to the majors has included a midseason 2024 trade from the Orioles to San Francisco, and he has some major league exposure to go with a big frame and a fastball that can touch 97 mph.
Watson has a limited track record as a top prospect, but his combination of velocity, a solid strikeout-to-walk ratio, and his 3.97 ERA across 11 1/3 innings in the Dominican winter league with Licey this year give the Red Sox a plausible upside option for the middle innings.
As with all Rule 5 picks, Watson must stay on Boston’s active roster (or on the injured list if he’s sidelined) for the entire 2026 season or be exposed to waivers. If he shows well in spring training, he could grab a spot in the Opening Day bullpen as a right-handed weapon. If not, Boston could place him on waivers and, if he clears, offer him back to his original club.
Boston’s decision to trade Vaughn Grissom to the Angels for a minor league outfield prospect allowed them to create a 40-man roster space for Watson. Earlier in the week, they also added left-hander Tyler Sanamiego in a separate move that complemented the acquisition of Johan Oviedo from Pittsburgh.
The Red Sox are reshaping their middle-relief corps for 2026, a year in which they also sent pitching prospects Chris Murphy, Brennan Bernardino, and Luis Guerrero to other organizations, designated Josh Winckowski for assignment, and saw Steven Matz and free-agent-in-wuture Justin Wilson move on from the club.
Further reading and context from MassLive’s ongoing Sox coverage include discussions about infield prospects, Rule 5 outcomes, and the broader implications for Boston’s pitching depth as we approach spring training.
Would you rather see the Sox take a patient, controllable approach with Rule 5 picks or lean into high upside, high-velocity bullpen pieces like Watson? Share your take in the comments.
