The Red Sox announced they have selected the contract of righty reliever Isaiah Campbell. Fellow righty Richard Fitts has been optioned to Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding active roster move. Liam Hendriks has been transferred to the 60-day injured list to open a 40-man spot.
Campbell returns to the big leagues for his second stint with the Sox. Boston acquired him from Seattle in a one-for-one swap for infielder Luis Urías going into the ’24 season. Campbell was coming off a 2.83 ERA across 28 2/3 innings as a rookie. He looked like a nice pickup for Urías, who was on the verge of being non-tendered, but injuries wrecked his year. Campbell only managed 6 2/3 big league innings and was tattooed for 13 runs. He never seemed to be at full strength, pitching through shoulder and elbow injuries.
The Sox non-tendered Campbell in November. They immediately brought him back on a minor league contract, seizing the opportunity to take him off the 40-man roster without running him through waivers. He has been with Worcester all season, working to a 3.89 ERA in 39 1/3 frames. His 19.1% strikeout rate is well below-average, but he’s throwing strikes and getting a decent number of ground balls. His average fastball velocity is in the 94-95 MPH range after sitting a little above 93 while he battled injuries a year ago. Campbell still has an option remaining, so the Sox can send him back to Worcester without placing him on waivers.
Hendriks has been sidelined for over a month by inflammation in his right hip. He doesn’t have a clear timetable for a return. The 60 days reverts to his original IL placement on May 28. Hendriks is eligible for reinstatement in the final week of July but may not be ready by then, as he has yet to begin a rehab assignment. Between this hip issue and an extended recovery from 2023 Tommy John surgery, Hendriks has been limited to 14 appearances in a Boston uniform. He has surrendered 11 runs (10 earned) across 13 2/3 innings.
Thrills…
dewey – There’s no better team to make your MLB return against than the Rox.
Or Fever, what happens if you bottom out against the Rox?
Dear Lord …. I totally forgot Campbell was still kicking around in the minors.
I assume either Dobbins or Houck is starting Saturday.
I hope so. Though i could see Cora squandering a meaningful game with the Rays right before the break with a bullpen game figuring they all get the next 4 days off…
I saw one article reference Dobbins, but another poster assumed it was Houck. Both are getting close, so maybe Buehler gets bumped?
I disagree with some of the others here – the Red Sox biggest need is a good starting 1B. Maybe O’Hearn or Naylor. Gonzalez could continue as the RHH half of a platoon, except that he’s playing 2B these days. (Toro is weak vs. LHP.) Toro isn’t bad in a utility role, but he is playing over his head right now. And he’s not very good defensively.
They could also (always) use another impact arm in the pen. Probably isn’t Isaiah Campbell.
I wouldn’t say no to a good #2 starter, but the competition to acquire those is tough. Everybody benefits from top pitching. With Houck and Dobbins returning, the Red Sox are okay in the rotation for now.
Big series with the Rays coming up and a very tough slog coming out of the ASB. If the team makes it that far in good shape then it is worth investing in the improvements.
Wait – Buehler didn’t suck his last game, so I don’t think he will get pulled from the rotation now. Plus they could use this opportunity to re-align the rotation as really Bello should follow Crochet, and then Giolito after Bello. But yeah, this Tampa series is the most important over the next couple months because that’s the team they are fighting for the final WC spot with.
I absolutely disagree on a first baseman, Toro and Romy have earned a platoon at first base once Bregman is back. And let’s face it, the Sox aren’t gonna invest a lot of talent in a deadline trade with Casas and Campbell both (hopefully) returning to start 2026. So what’s the point of getting another Dom Smith or Cooper type first baseman?
Without question the biggest need is the same I’ve been saying since preseason …. catcher! Wong is absolutely pitiful and Narvaez is far from a sure thing, especially if he’s not used to a #1 catcher workload. Relief pitcher would also be on my wishlist, but only if he’s a stud.
The one good thing from this soon-to-be 6 game win streak against crappy teams, hopefully it builds confidence in the players.
FPG- you’re probably right, in that, the 1B platoon (of which I am not a fan of either half, but will live with) probably stays until the end of the season. There is a righty hitter that as a minor move could be helpful, Ty France. He hits lefties ala Refsynder and can play both 1B and 2B.
Competition for #2 starter is going to be too costly, unless we strike a deal for Alcantara (my choice for the next two years) soon after the break and set the market instead of waiting. Sandy is controllable for two more seasons for around $26m per season and will slot nicely behind Crochet.
As for Wong, he doesn’t have a lot of value, and who are we bringing in to make a difference? We already had Danny Jansen once. But, if you wanted to swing at Travis d’Arnaud, that’s interesting.
ALSO, I AM NOW THE BIGGEST TREVOR STORY FAN IN NEW ENGLAND. Every homerun brings us one step closer to the potential of him opting out……GO TREVOR!!!!
Sad – Mark it on your calendar, July 28th is when decisions can be made about the path to take after the 13-game gauntlet.
If they go at least 6-7 I expect them to not sell.
Either way, I think an outfielder will be traded. Do they have the guts to trade Duran, who is the heart and soul of the team right now?
FPG – honestly, i’m hoping they dont trade Duran away. Without disparaging the front office (yet) I just dont see equal value coming back, especially for how cheap Duran is.
More than that, he is the only veteran OF they would have heading into 2026, with the other three guys having a combined less than 500 games under their belts…..
There is enough talent at the end of the bench and at AAA, plus the ability to add (absorb) salary to bring back a meaningful arm (whether SP or bullpen) or righty bat.
I would like to see them in clear buy mode and have Breslow show us what he’s got. I cant watch someone like Danny Jansen walk through the door again this year
No disagreement on Wong, Fever. A good #2 defensive catcher who can complement Narvaez would be affordable and would provide a big boost. I still think that Toro’s numbers are likely to slide as the season wears on. He makes great contact, but doesn’t really impact the ball. I’d expect him to trend towards a .725 OPS, which definitely isn’t awful but is short of what I would expect from my starting 1B. O’Hearn and Naylor should both be available, and are well above that level. (No interest in Rizzo, sorry.)
We’re seeing some quality AB. Rafaela has found his game and is pulling the ball with authority. Story has gotten into a groove (something I was doubting would happen, though I know you were always in his camp). Anthony set up the sixth inning last night with a disciplined walk in which he took a couple close pitches when he could easily have swung and gotten himself out. Weak competition, of course, but still a nice tuneup for the upcoming series.
If they can finish the sweep, they’ll be in position to compete with the Rays. Then it’s just a matter of playing their best baseball against the good teams. Oddly their issue in the first half of the season was a failure to play good baseball against the BAD teams. They’ve seemingly always been competitive against the good teams.
Agreed on the July 28 date. I’m not making any prediction on their record between now and then, but agree that they NEED to play .500 ball against these teams to make their case as contenders.
@Sad, Would you trade Duran for Alcantara? No idea if that would be feasible (might need to be a triangle trade), just asking…
Wait – I dont think that could happen. I’m sure that the Marlins want a younger player. Even at $8mm for next year and the big savings on Sandy’s contract, Duran will be 29 next season.
I would trade something like Abreu and Dobbins (assuming Duran is on 2026 Sox)
All of that said, I want the 2026 Sox to have Abreu, Anthony, Duran and Rafaela on the roster. The infield and pitching staff need to be fixed, the OF is top-end most solid 4 in mlb.
Wait – I tend to view performance based on the competition, not just their record but how they performed before and after playing the Sox. Timing is so very important, you can win a series against any team if you catch them in a slump or with key injuries.
I know you’re probably thinking “Well the Sox won the series in KC and won 5 of 6 vs the Yanks”.
Fact is the Royals have gone 21-30 since the Red Sox won that series, and the NYY have gone 8-13 since leaving Boston. Kinda makes you look at the Sox wins against those two teams in a different light, no?
Then look at the Sox who are 5-20 against the Jays, Brewers, Tigers, Giants and Angels … all contenders.
Seems like the Sox feast on bad and slumping teams.
FPG – i agree. This team has holes so big in the roster you can drive a truck through them.
The roster, starting with an mlb caliber 4-5 man infield, needs to be corrected.
Fangraphs lists Dobbins on Friday, Crochet on Saturday, each on extra rest. Don’t know if they have a source or are just guessing.
Wait – That’s interesting, I didn’t even know they did pitcher projections.
If Crochet is going Saturday, that confirms the suspicion fatigue was a factor in his poor performance the past couple starts.
Doop – It’s an Aussie thing, kinda like Ian is pronounced “EEN”.
No mommy, mommy, please Breslow please.
Really surprised Hendriks is still on the team. Sox must be hard-up for people to play for their team.
Probably a courtesy for a veteran guy so he can accrue more service time
I think he has a player option next year. If he’s healthy and still wants to play.
It’s a mutual option at 12m…. between his performance, his public unhappiness at his undefined role in the BP, and, that whole comments.from the fan base thing (to put it mildly for filters sake) i find it hard to picture that mutual option coming together.
That said, nothing to really be gained by cutting him loose
They just love paying pitchers to rehab with their staff.
The contract is likely insured and by moving him to the 60 day you save the 40 man rostor spot ..so no reason to not keep him around on the off chance he shows something down the line
Hes under contract, he isn’t on the roster you big baseball fan, you.
Revolving door of ineffective relievers
Red Sox bullpen is tied for third in ERA in the AL. mlb.com/stats/team/pitching/american-league/era?sp…
Until Cora blows it
I tend to believe Campbell will have a bounce-back season. He was dealing with an injury last year.
Hasn’t been that great in AAA though.
“Congratulations on your first big league victory last night Richard. As a reward you’re going back to AAA”
I cringe at even thinking of Campbell getting into a game…
Rsox – Yeah and you just know it will be the 10th inning against the Rays, Chapman already burned, and Campbell is the only RHP option in the pen.
FPG – maybe Quinn Priester would look good as a fifth starter?
too bad our guru’s couldn’t “fix” him…..
Meanwhile, with our organizational pitching philosophy, they are ruining Kyle Harrison, 2HR’s allowed in the first inning last night at AAA,
they might as well empty the cupboard and see what they have as the trade deadline approaches, because, let’s be honest here- they are a very underwhelming team….
…they beat up the Reds, who are rebuilding and will be very good in a few seasons, the Nationals, who are bad, and the Rockies (so far), who are HISTORICALLY bad, and the offense is less offensive- but is that because they are coming together, or because the teams they are playing have lousy pitching? perhaps it’s both, but we won’t know until they start facing decent pitching again.
for me, the Sox need to be sellers at the deadline. Chapman will bring in a halfway decent haul. They should’ve tried to deal or cut Buehler by now. do they dangle Rafaela? Duran? Abreu? even an injured Bregman?
a bright spot is that Story is finally starting to hit. If he can stay healthy and keep this up, maybe the Sox get lucky and can unload him. yes, they’ll have to eat the contract, but I’m fine with that.
Anthony is showing signs of life. Meyer could well be very good in the end. Campbell will improve. There is reason for overall optimism, but this season shows that they are not quite there yet, and should be treated as a bridge, IMO.
I think a lot of people are going to overreact to the stretch the Sox are on, for the points you said.
The real test will come after the Rockies:
Rays
(All star break)
Cubs
Phillies
Dodgers
Twins
Trade deadline
If they are still in playoff contention at the deadline, they should be buyers.
The schedule gets much easier post-deadline with (in no order) Pirates, A’s, O’s, Marlins and D-Backs (if they decide to sell). With some tough series against Houston, NYY, DET,SDP and some others. They have a shot at making up some serious ground due to the easier games there.
But I’d say if they are more than like two games back of the wild card, they should be sellers.
SMK – Good post, but I don’t get your take on Story.
He’s finally healthy after 3 injury-plagued years, and now you want to eat his contract? Didn’t we do the exact same thing recently with a guy named Sale? Besides, with Bregman likely leaving they will need Story in middle infield with Mayer playing 3B or 2B.
Fever- I’ve been willing to eat his contract from the words “IL” 2 seasons ago.
This has been a colossally bad signing for the Sox. The Sale contract had me concerned but seeing it was post 2018, there was good will there, so you hope for the best.
Story still has 3 years/$75 million left on his contract. If he keeps hitting and a team wants to pay part of it to take him on, even better.
I like Story (a staple on my fantasy teams when he was in Colorado), but you said it yourself- 3 injury plagued seasons lost. that recent track record suggests he’ll end up injured again. I hope not, but if it happens- let it be on another team. Maybe I’m being dismissive of him, but his time with the Sox gives me little reason to feel otherwise.
smk – I know it’s not your money, but eating contracts is always a bad business decision unless the player is totally useless and blocking someone else …. neither of which is the case with Story. And that is coming from the only person here who was strongly against his signing to begin with. Not just because at the time he was already injury prone and had an existing injury, but also because he was in a steady offensive decline too.
The past few months there have been people here who have insisted on eating the contracts of Devers, Yoshida, Giolito, Buehler and Story …… where does it end? They are not gonna have a $400M payroll while paying players to perform well for other teams. The only one who would be close to a justified release is Buehler.
Other than one year of Sale, whose contract over $5M has the Red Sox eaten in the past? I can’t think of any. Even big spenders like the Yankees don’t eat contracts, they are still holding onto Stanton and DJL for instance.
If they extend Bregman (which I hope they don’t) and Mayer slides to shortstop and Campbell learns to play 2B, then sure I’d be fine trading Story this offseason …. and as long as he stays healthy and doesn’t crash, there will be plenty of teams willing to take on his contract.
Otherwise I say ride him until the next group of prospects is ready to be promoted, which I think is what will happen.
FPG
Don’t understand your dislike of Bregman,he hits for average /power ,plays good defense and is a leader. Is it because the Sox basically chose him over Devers??
cdc – Chose him over Devers? No, it’s already been confirmed Raffy would have lost his 3B job even if Bregman had signed elsewhere. Most likely Arenado would have taken over 3B.
I don’t dislike Bregman, I just don’t want the Sox to give him the ridiculous contract he will likely get from some team. There’s reports his camp is basically seeking a blank check,
“‘I’ve been laughing about this for two weeks,’ one AL exec said, ‘just thinking about (his agent) Scott Boras’ reaction to the Devers trade with Bregman, because you know he’s sitting there thinking: ‘Just give me a blank check, because whatever I want, you guys are going to have to pay me.’”
He wasn’t offered the $200 million contract last off-season. Now he is a year older and coming off injury. He will be 32 years old next spring training. He could opt back in. Would you be comfortable at 5 yrs $35m per ? Or what would you like to see. ? If he’s not here the Sox will need to find a 3rdbaseman and replace his production.
Devers lost his 3B job because he could no longer physically handle the position. The Red Sox were aggressively seeking a 3B in the offseason because they had a hole at the position. What I don’t understand is why it wasn’t communicated better to Devers, but maybe they figured that they didn’t want to broach the subject just in case they came up empty? And didn’t want to publicly tip their hand in negotiations? (Because Devers would have immediately made it public.)
cdc – If you mean he may not opt out, zero chance if he stays healthy and maintains his numbers.
Remember last offseason he was coming off a .768 OPS season, the worst of his career. If he finishes this season with a 150 OPS+ then he will definitely get better offers than he got last offseason.
Based on his age, injury history, and production from 2020-2024 I would definitely not give him more than 4 years at around $30M (no deferrals).
Wait – Well according to Cora during last offseason, Devers was fantastic at third base. LOL
All they had to do was tell Raffy “Hey there’s a chance you’ll be moving off 3B, just wanted to prepare you in case it happens”.
He wouldn’t have made it public. It would have been told in confidentiality, plus he is very reclusive during the offseason. He doesn’t talk to anyone about anything.
Those contract #’s will not get it done.
FPG
Sorry , I have like 3 conversations going on, on several sites. LOL.
cdc – I know it wouldn’t get it done, Bregman/Boras are all about the money.
I’d rather spend the money on pitching and let Mayer play 3B next year.
cdc – No worries my friend. We are a lot alike, we love to talk baseball …. a lot!
FPG
I don’t hate that idea . It really is ALL ABOUT PITCHING. I do enjoy watching Mayer play D. He has a nonchalant grace to his game.( that is not
a slight) He looks extremely comfortable. What would it cost us to get Joe Ryan from the Twins?
I do love talking baseball. I know we did not agree fully on the Devers situation. But that is OK. If everyone agreed on everything it would be very boring. LOL .
cdc – Agreed!
And as Rob Bradford always says, baseball isn’t boring ;O)
No thanks. I’ll take a bag ‘o balls for Campbell. He stinks.
MARINERS LEGEND ISAIAH CAMPBELL