The Boston Red Sox have signed left-handed pitcher Drew Smyly, a former Phillies hurler who struggled during his short stint in Philadelphia. Smyly, 34, had one of the roughest stretches of his career with the Phillies in 2019, posting a 4.45 ERA over 12 starts. Despite flashes of effectiveness, he was plagued by inconsistency and home run issues, leading the Phillies to let him walk in free agency after the season.
Since then, Smyly has bounced around the league, pitching for the Braves, Cubs, and most recently the Cubs again in 2023. While he had some success, including a solid 2021 campaign in Atlanta’s World Series-winning season, his overall performance has been up and down. Last year with Chicago, he finished with a 5.00 ERA in 44 appearances (23 starts), leading the Cubs to decline his contract option for 2024.
Now with Boston, Smyly hopes to revitalize his career and provide much-needed depth to the Red Sox’s rotation. Given his past struggles, he may not be guaranteed a starting role but could serve as a swingman, working in both starting and relief roles. The Red Sox, who are in a transition phase, are taking a low-risk gamble that Smyly can recapture his best form and offer valuable innings in 2024.
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