Red Sox Lose 7-Year Veteran To Free Agency After Remarkably Short Stint

The Boston Red Sox had a successful season, but they ultimately fell short of the big goal of winning the World Series. In fact, the Red Sox finished third in the American League East behind the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees. As a result, the Red Sox need to make some moves to improve the roster over the offseason. The Red Sox need to add some pitching to their roster this winter, but that won’t come without obstacles. Veteran pitcher José De León recently cut ties with the Red Sox and elected free agency this offseason. MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MAY 27: A picture of the Boston Red Sox hat and a Wilson glove before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 27, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) De León, 33, made one start with the Red Sox this season. He tossed 6 2/3 innings and allowed three earned runs, securing the win for Boston. The veteran pitcher has spent seven years in the big leagues, making eight starts and 35 appearances with a 7.13 ERA. He’s struggled to find consistent playing time at the big league level for the entirety of his career, but the righty could still earn a minor league deal. There’s a chance De León believes he could earn a big league deal with a desperate club this winter, which could be the reason he opted to elect free agency. Either way, it’s a loss, albeit a small one, for the Red Sox to kick off the offseason. More MLB: Mets Urged To Cut Ties With 8-Year Veteran All-Star After 2025 Collapse