Boston Red Sox Sign Reliever Tommy Kahnle To Minor League Deal

[Nick John]

The Boston Red Sox made an addition to their relief corps Tuesday night as they came to an agreement with veteran right-hander Tommy Kahnle on a minor league deal, according to New York Post Sports’ Jon Heyman. The right-hander has been a factor in several bullpens since breaking into the majors back in 2014 with the Colorado Rockies.

For his career, Kahnle has appeared in 456 games for the Rockies, Yankees, White Sox, Dodgers, and Tigers, compiling a 3.61 ERA and 436 2/3 innings pitched. In that span, he struck out 502 batters. 2025, however, was a bit of a down year for Kahnle as he appeared in 66 games with the Tigers and tossed 63 innings with a 4.43 ERA, his highest since 2018. Kahnle, however, was a dominant reliever in both 2023 and 2024 with the Yankees.

The Red Sox have tried several times to sign Kahnle, but each attempt ended in failure for the franchise until now. Kahnle will likely spend the final week of spring training in major league camp attempting to win the final bullpen spot. It is likely that he will open in Triple-A, depending on his conditioning, and with it being so late in spring training to join an organization. Kahnle provides the Red Sox with another veteran arm to potentially help the bullpen should it struggle.

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[moonslav59]

Never hurts to have minor league depth added.

[notin]

I just cannot figure out how this guy is successful throwing changeup after changeup after changeup after changeup.  I mean, is it really a changeup if you never throw a fastball to change it up from?

 

Doug Jones got like 300 career saves doing the same thing.  And it confused me back then…

[moonslav59]

45 minutes ago, notin said:

I just cannot figure out how this guy is successful throwing changeup after changeup after changeup after changeup.  I mean, is it really a changeup if you never throw a fastball to change it up from?

Doug Jones got like 300 career saves doing the same thing.  And it confused me back then…

It's one of the great mysteries of the game.

[mvp 78]

 

[Behindenemylines]

Kahnle has been on the Sox radar for a while. As the old saying goes, you can never have too much pitching. Remember the lack of pitching depth ended the Sox season in 2025.

[JoeBrady]

55 minutes ago, Behindenemylines said:

Remember the lack of pitching depth ended the Sox season in 2025.

Suppose I don't want to remember?