The Red Sox have a minor league deal with José De León, according to Francys Romero. The righty first implied that he’d reached an agreement with Boston on social media.
De León, now 32, was once a top prospect while he was coming up through the Dodgers’ system. Injuries have largely prevented him from carving out a consistent role. De León has pitched in parts of six seasons but didn’t reach 20 major league frames in any. That has been divided among four teams. His most recent action came with the Twins two years ago. De León gave up 10 runs (nine earned) in 17 1/3 innings. He recorded 17 strikeouts while issuing five walks.
That season was cut short in June. De León underwent Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career, five years removed from his first such procedure. That ill-timed operation cost him the entire ’24 campaign. De León was outrighted off Minnesota’s 40-man roster during the 2023-24 offseason. He remained a free agent last year but made his comeback in winter ball in his native Puerto Rico.
De León impressed Boston evaluators enough to get another affiliated opportunity. He’ll likely begin the season with Triple-A Worcester. De León has solid numbers at the top minor league level. He carries a 3.44 ERA over 199 Triple-A innings divided between six seasons. De León hasn’t found much success in his scattered MLB opportunities. He has allowed 7.44 earned runs per nine over 65 1/3 big league frames despite a near-27% strikeout rate.
You’ve got to admire this guy’s perseverance.
Agreed. It’s nice to see Breslow realizes his job is not finished…
I remember he had a lot of hype coming out of the Dodgers farm system.
I remember him being a promising prospect, but I don’t recall any hype.
Got traded for Bobby Bonilla that’s some career
In 1986, no less. Almost makes you wonder if it’s a different guy.
Dan – His brother is Ponce who has a cool fountain.
Yeah our cats play in that fountain for hours
Is Millie Bobby Brown the same guy that wed Whitney and also got caught lip synching?
Here is a great article about Mayer, Anthony and Campbell by Jeff Passan:
espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43996721/mlb-2025-spring-t…
Good read Suit.
I liked even better a few articles I read about Bregman taking the trio under his wing so to speak. Not only is his locker right with theirs, but, he volunteered to ride the bus 4 hours to an Os road game with the youngsters after vowing/pledging to do so during some banter one day.
I have to admit, I’m impressed by a lot of what I read about how he’s handling his early start with the club and the mentoring he is taking upon himself to give out.
The more stories like that I read, the more I like what I read. It’s the type of presence that has been missing on this team, but, used to be provided by guys like Ortiz and Pedey, JDM and Bogey. The great sox teams have had that steadying mentoring leadership presence. It’s been missing for a few years. Maybe they’re finding it again.
Glad you liked it. That’s good to hear about Bregman.
I also enjoyed both articles. While he simply hasn’t been able to stay on the field, Story has tried the last couple of seasons as well. It would be a fun story if Story regained his bat and doesn’t have a long stretch on the IL.
I’m sure he taught them everything he knows about trash cans
Justin Turner was that kind of guy. Too bad they couldn’t bring him back last year. Bogey didn’t give that vibe. He pouted when moved to third. Wasn’t a fan.
Meh. I’d be more interested in a great article about Jeff Passan by Mayer Anthony Campbell
Mayer Anthony and Campbell. Sounds like a law firm. Tho w Bregman, more like Dewey Cheatham and Howe.
Low risk, high reward, additional depth, great signing, blah blah blah.
High reward? lol as what, a guy that can come in during a 15-0 game? Cmon, his era in his career is 7.44….he has no business getting anymore opportunities
De León’s strikeout potential, the Red Sox’s focus on analytics, and the shift towards flexibility in roster management are key strategic elements that many outside of team front offices fail to see.
York – After 12 years and 6 teams, how long will the “potential” last in your book? He’s likely nothing more than AAA filler.
@Fever Pitch Guy
That’s a fair concern, but let’s break this down logically. De León’s appeal isn’t about expecting a sudden breakout—it’s about leveraging existing skills in specific roles. His strikeout rate (which has always been above average when healthy) suggests he can still miss bats, and the Red Sox’s analytics department is well known for identifying underutilized strengths in pitchers.
If Boston sees a tweak—whether it’s pitch sequencing, usage adjustments, or mechanical refinements—that maximizes his swing-and-miss ability in short stints, then there’s real upside here. Worst case? He’s AAA depth, as you said. But the Red Sox are paying virtually nothing for a potential bullpen piece who, if optimized, can generate outs in high-leverage spots. That’s not a bad bet.
York – The Red Sox analytics department is not as well regarded as you say. Despite the fact they employ over 300 people, their record of finding hidden gems is not good. Hopefully the farm system will improve in the future so these dumpster dive acquisitions aren’t needed.
And one thing the above article failed to mention, the Red Sox already signed him less than 4 years ago. You can say perhaps the analytics department under Bloom was crap and has been largely replaced (I have no knowledge of the department’s turnover) but there had to be a good reason why the Sox didn’t even promote him the last time.
To reiterate, I’m not saying it was a bad signing …. I’m just saying it would help if some of these same type signings actually pan out more often. And as GaSox astutely pointed out the more these types of pitchers are at Cora’s disposal, the better chance he will misuse them to the team’s detriment.
@Fever Pitch Guy
Your skepticism is understandable, and I won’t argue that Boston’s track record with these types of signings has been flawless. However, let’s approach this with first principles thinking rather than just past results.
Past failures don’t dictate future outcomes. This isn’t about betting on De León, the individual—it’s about betting on process over outcome. If you don’t take swings on analytically intriguing arms, you guarantee yourself zero upside. If you do, you may occasionally find a hidden gem. That’s how modern roster building works.
York – these are accurate, and fair, observances for Cora, i agree.
Cora’s style is starting to worry me. Maybe he feels like he and Kennedy have won the power struggle in management, his contract has been extended and now he’s in total control.
In other disconcerting news, Campbell getting reps in left field. Just because Cora could play everywhere doesn’t mean everyone else could, or should! The kid is going to play 2B for a good long time in Fenway, who cares of he didn’t won the job right out of the gate this spring. But, in true recent Sox fashion they’ll try to make him another Jack of All Trades, Master of None. Leave him alone and allow for a little more seasoning at AAA.
Maybe De Leon can play second base
Sad – Totally agree, everyone knows Cora runs the show …. not Breslow.
In all fairness to Breslow, when ownership wants the manager extended you can’t expect the rookie HOBO to go against ownership’s wishes.
As for Campbell, I don’t know what’s going on with him but I agree he should focus on one position. The majority of his professional career he’s been at 2B however I’ve read reports that he’s gotten a lot of 2B instructional help in ST. Perhaps he’s struggling with the position therefore they are looking at him as more of an OF’er?
Either way, I wouldn’t be surprised if the lack of a set position is negatively impacting his hitting. As of right now I think he’s headed back to AAA, time will tell.
@Sad.Sox 3
Cora’s influence on roster decisions is a separate discussion, but in the case of De León, the signing aligns with how modern pitching depth is built. The Red Sox have been moving toward a model where flexibility in pitcher usage is a competitive edge, particularly as teams shift away from rigid bullpen roles.
If De León provides value—even in a low-leverage multi-inning role or as a situational strikeout weapon—then the signing is a win. If not, the investment is minimal. This is less about Cora exerting control and more about modern roster construction: maximizing depth while allowing the coaching staff to extract value from previously overlooked talent.
York – You do realize with Breslow signing so many of these lottery ticket pitchers that the odds of a better pitcher getting forced off the roster is much higher.
They cannot have more than 13 pitchers on the active roster at the same time (prior to September). If there’s few injuries, there won’t be room for him on the active roster.
I really hope MLB goes through with their plan to force pitchers that are called up into staying on the active roster for a minimum amount of time (hopefully at least 2 weeks). It would help the Red Sox more than any other team.
@Fever Pitch Guy
I would love to see more starters actually go 9 innings but those days are gone.
FPG: “everyone knows Cora runs the show …. not Breslow”
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LOL. You have no idea what is going on behind the scenes.
Not necessarily related to this signing, but roster flexibility is great to a point. At some point, you need guys who are good at their jobs, and not just guys who can do a bunch of jobs ok. For example, I’d rather have a guy who can play 2B well, instead of a guy who can play 2B,SS, LF and 3B at average or below average. Essentially what Sad Sox said
The being said, this signing is just another depth piece. Low risk, and I’m not sure how you’d classify the reward ha.
Exactly Joemo. I know its the trend in MLB, so cant exactly kill Sox for it. BUT, when you have the third worst fielding team in the league, and had 12 players at Second Base last year, maybe the certainty of being in one place, so you can work on your craft ALSO has merit.
Cora could probably play all 8 positions in the field, but with that said maybe your prized prospects dont need to worry about learning a new position and learn how to hit major league pitching in the same spring training……
Roster flexibility is needed because of how pitchers are used today. There used to be 10 man staffs yet with 13 today, the roster has only increased from 25 to 26. Either allow an extra two players on the bench (has to be negotiated) or force pitchers to stop overthrowing and go back to an 11 man staff. Anyone remember John Kennedy, “super sub”? He was one of the first Sox multi-position reserve players back in the late 60s – early 70s.
@Joemo
100% agree that talent trumps versatility—but the reality is that both are required in today’s MLB. Look at the most successful teams over the past decade: the Dodgers, Rays, and Braves. What do they have in common? A mix of high-end talent AND players who provide flexibility.
De León isn’t expected to be a star or even an everyday contributor. His signing fits a different model: finding targeted value in specific roles. If the Red Sox use him properly—perhaps in an analytically optimized middle relief role—then he doesn’t need to be an all-star. He just needs to be effective in situations where his skill set plays up.
Also, saying “just another depth piece” ignores the hidden value in marginal roster moves. Most impact signings don’t look like impact signings on Day 1. Every season, there are players who emerge unexpectedly because teams put them in optimized situations. The Red Sox are betting they can extract more than replacement-level performance from De León, and given their track record of tweaking pitchers, that’s a reasonable bet.
York – Just curious, what makes you believe the Red Sox analytics are superior to all 29 other teams? Or even superior to all 5 other teams that acquired De Leon? And are you saying the analytics under Bloom sucked?
Having so much faith in the current Sox analytics despite their many failures makes about as much sense as believing the A’s Moneyball approach was successful despite them not having won an LCS game since 1992.
If analytics was truly the key to success, you wouldn’t have 95% of the World Series played by teams who were Top Ten in payroll.
York – I agree you need a mix of high end talent and versatility, but I feel like the Sox are focusing too much on versatility. Look at Rafaela last year. His versatility (being able to play short, although not nearly as good as his CF) hurt the team, in my opinion. If they just grabbed an actual SS instead of relying on Rafaela and whatever others (Romy gettig hurt didn’t help) they are a much better team.
I will have to disagree with the Sox track record of tweaking pitchers. They have had some success yes (Weissart, Fitts, and a few more), but also some massive failures. The entire deadline was a dud, and they would have been better off keeping Zeferjahn instead of overpaying for Garcia (although yeah 40 man roster crunch). In addition, Campbell just fell right off a cliff.
It also seemed like after the initial shock of the Sox not throwing as many FB, they didn’t really adjust to the league adjusting to them.
I think we can easily marginalize Analytics Dept research for the 40th man on the 40 Man. They’re throwing darts just like actual scouts used to do, but with some numbers attached to their dart fins. I don’t discount the use of analytics, but sating theymay have discovered something in a 32yo, five team veteran that’s been overlooked and UMSEEN on an actual baseball diamond is truly a stretch.
We’ve already signed a 30+yo mexican leaguer (name escapes me currently, but unimportant to the point).
There must be 22yo pitchers out there that they can tweak too, right? I’d rather have that guy.
Moreover, these type of “Smartest Guy in the Room at the GM Meetings” moves practically never pan out. So yes, a flier on this type of guy is always welcomed on a division winning, championship caliber team, but comes off as tone-deaf for a team currently without a second baseman or platoonable catcher, and coming off an 81-81 season.
Sad – Great post as always!
I would just add one more thing they are currently without … an established closer.
Wilson and Hendriks sucked again today, Slaten and Chapman have looked good thus far, and Whitlock hasn’t thrown a pitch yet. Can’t put too much stock into ST pitching, but for a guy like Hendriks coming back from a two year absence it is important to gauge where he is at with his recovery.
Same with Wilson, he needs to show if he’s capable of returning to what he was in 2017-2018.
Man, I remember when some people around here were calling the Dodgers idiots for giving this guy up. I am getting so old.
But you have the advantage of knowing the Jeopardy question to the answer, “He was the Dodger pitcher traded for Logan Forsythe.”
Hope he catches on there and does well, it would be a nice comeback story. With a career 7.44 era and -1.7 war, the only way to go is up, right?
Poor guy. Injuries have so far destroyed any real baseball career. It does make me think though about how a lot of well regarded Dodger prospects never ended up at much. Willie Calhoun for Darvish, whatever they gave up for Machado didn’t amount to much in Baltimore. Josiah Gray and Keibert Ruiz are (for Sherzer and Trea Turner) aren’t really anything special in Washington… I guess so far you can add Miguel Vargas now with the White Sox…
————, now —, was once a top prospect while he was coming up through the ————’ system.
He’s minor league depth nothing more. The issue I have with this when they start taking a spot on the AAA roster that can go to a more deserving young pitcher. The Red Sox should have quality depth in the Worcester starting rotation and the bullpen is filling up fast and there are other pitchers in AA Portland that I expect to need to need to be in AA by mid season. The pitching depth in the Red Sox is starting to look real. It’s fine to try this guy to start the season in the Worcester but as soon as a younger arm is ready you dfa him in a heartbeat.
Hey Bruin, totally agree. If my Analytics office is looking for strong arms with maybe some underlying intriguing numbers, I am capping the age of that player. There’s tons of data on college pitchers nowadays, I might want to go there.