The Boston Red Sox have made it a priority this offseason to strengthen their starting rotation behind ace Garrett Crochet.
After trading for Crochet before last season and locking him up with a six-year, $170 million extension, Boston has continued to build pitching depth. The Red Sox added Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo via trade, and along with Brayan Bello, that trio is expected to play a key role in anchoring the rotation. The organization is also hoping that young pitchers such as Payton Tolle and Connelly Early can continue to develop and contribute.
Overall, Boston appears to have enough rotation depth to contend for a division crown next year. However, that depth has come at a cost. By dealing minor league assets to acquire established talent, the Red Sox have thinned out their lower-level pitching depth. That likely explains their decision to sign veteran right-hander Devin Sweet to a minor league contract.
According to his MLB.com profile, Sweet joined the Red Sox shortly after being outrighted to Triple-A by the Philadelphia Phillies and electing free agency. Boston now represents the latest stop in a well-traveled professional career as Sweet looks for another chance to break through at the major league level.
Sweet originally signed with the Seattle Mariners as an undrafted free agent in 2018 and made his MLB debut with Seattle in 2023, appearing twice before being designated for assignment. He was then claimed by the Oakland Athletics, where he made five additional appearances that same season.
Before the 2024 campaign, Sweet was claimed by the San Francisco Giants, waived again, and then picked up by the Detroit Tigers. Later in 2024, he was traded to the Phillies for cash considerations, added to the 40-man roster, and optioned to Triple-A to begin the season.
In 2025, Sweet posted a 5.08 ERA with 49 strikeouts over 51⅓ innings for Philadelphia’s Triple-A affiliate before entering free agency. The Red Sox appear to believe he can either be further developed or, at the very least, help stabilize their minor league pitching depth.
As noted by Jackson Roberts of On SI, Boston’s Triple-A staff has seen significant turnover this offseason, with pitchers such as Nick Burdi, Richard Fitts, and Hunter Dobbins leaving the organization, while others like Shane Drohan, Tyler Uberstine, and David Sandlin moved onto the 40-man roster. Sweet may not project as more than a bullpen innings-eater at Worcester, but depth pieces like him can become important as the season unfolds.
While the Red Sox already have considerable pitching depth, Sweet will be hoping this opportunity leads to a more permanent role in the majors.
