BOSTON -- Three days after the Red Sox swung an All-Star break deal with the Tigers by acquiring OF/DH Jahmai Jones for a player to be named later, the team’s new right-handed hitter was ready to get to work.
“I was really excited [about the trade],” Jones said. “Obviously, I understand what kind of baseball they've been playing last few weeks and the kind of history that's been in the stadium. I watched a lot of Red Sox games, ironically, growing up, I loved Boston growing up. I loved just everything about it. So when I heard that it was happening, I was really excited to help this team out.”
Though Jones has struggled (.137 average, two doubles, one triple, two home runs, seven RBIs and 10 walks in 57 games) to the point this season that he was designated for assignment by Detroit on July 9, Boston hopes Fenway Park’s conducive hitting environment can revive the righty bat.
The 28-year-old was a solid platoon player for Detroit’s playoff squad in 2025, hitting .287 with 11 doubles, a triple, seven home runs, 23 RBIs and 18 walks with a .937 OPS in 72 games.
Jones got into four postseason games, going 1-for-2 with a double, an RBI and two walks.
What was the difference between the success of ‘25 and the struggles so far in ‘26?
“I think just getting into a rhythm. I think the biggest thing of last year was being able to play kind of a little bit more and get that flow of the game going. And then you know, once you go from there, it's just baseball,” said Jones. “And this year, it was just a little slower to start the season. Didn't face left-handed the first three weeks of the season, so I didn't start. So just trying to get into the rhythm of that, and coming out of that was different than what I've been used to. But looking to get my feet wet here, get my rhythm going, and you know, help this team.”
He joins an OF/DH equation in Boston that has three left-handed hitters in Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu and Masataka Yoshida.
Though Abreu, who has mashed lefties all season, isn’t going to take a seat very often, Jones could be a good option to spell Duran or Yoshida against southpaws.
“Yeah, I actually know Jam, had him with the Angels, so obviously numbers this year aren't what they were last year,” said Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy. “But there's been a couple years where he's had a high level of success versus left-handed pitching. So to be able to get him, see if we can get him back on track and use him to take down some at-bats versus lefties.”
With the Rays starting lefties Ian Seymour on Saturday and Shane McClanahan on Sunday, Jones should quickly get into the mix.
“I think it's just a similar role to what I've been doing,” said Jones. “Just come out, hit lefties, and see where the game takes you from there. That's what I want to do. Just want to do what I'm good at, and help this team win.”