Gossett, Red Sox reach Minors deal (source)

Club set to watch Kluber throw on Jan. 13 in Florida

January 4th, 2021

While the Red Sox continue to pursue all avenues in making a significant addition to their starting rotation, the club made a depth signing on Monday, agreeing to a Minor League deal with righty starter , a source told MLB.com.

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale was first to report the signing, which the Red Sox have yet to announce.

Thus far, it has been a quiet Hot Stove season for the Red Sox, who did sign outfielder Hunter Renfroe to a one-year contract on Dec. 14.

However, pitching remains the team’s biggest focus.

One name to keep an eye on is former Cy Young Award winner . MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported that Kluber, who is coming off an injury-plagued couple of seasons, will throw in front of interested teams on Jan. 13, including the Red Sox.

Kluber was with the Rangers last season, but injured his right shoulder in the first inning of his first start and was lost for the remainder of 2020. He made just seven starts for the Indians in ’19.

He was one of the premier pitchers in the game for Cleveland from 2013-18, and is an obvious low-risk, high-reward candidate on this winter’s free-agent market.

As for Gossett, he will earn a base salary of $750,000 if he is called up to the Majors.

The Red Sox have brief history with Gossett, having selected him in the 16th round of the 2011 MLB Draft. Gossett instead went to Clemson, setting himself up to be taken by the Athletics in the second round of the ‘14 Draft.

In limited opportunities in the Majors, Gossett has yet to have much success, going 4-14 with a 5.91 ERA over two seasons (2017-18).

He underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2018. His most recent pitching experience at the professional level was making five starts in the 2019 Arizona Fall League.