The Boston Red Sox have been active this offseason and reportedly made another interesting addition on Monday.
According to Ari Alexander, the Red Sox have agreed to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training with right-handed pitcher Vinny Nittoli. The 35-year-old has a 2.41 career ERA. His ERA is solid, but he has not gotten much experience in the big leagues, working just 18 2/3 innings.
Nittoli pitched for the Athletics and the Baltimore Orioles in 2024. He worked 12 innings in the majors, but he spent last season in Triple-A. He started the season with the Milwaukee Brewers organization and had a 4.50 ERA for their Triple-A affiliate, the Nashville Sounds.
The Orioles added him and he hada 6.35 ERA in 10 Triple-A games for the Norfolk Tides. He was not great at all last year, but his success in the big leagues is reason to be hopeful that the Red Sox can turn him into a valuable piece.
He was originally a draft pick of the Seattle Mariners in 2014. He has bounced around, playing for eight organizations in his career. He has spent time in the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Orioles, Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Mariners, Brewers and New York Mets organizations.
Story continues below advertisement
However, he has only made big league appearances for the Mariners, Phillies, Mets, Athletics and Orioles. The Red Sox will be the latest American League East to give him a look.
He faces an uphill battle to make the 40-man roster as a right-handed reliever. His stuff does have some promise. In 2024, he had a 4.3% walk rate, which was one of the best in baseball.
He also gets great extension off the mound despite being six-feet tall. He gets better extension than Paul Skenes, who is 6-foot-6. That means nothing if he cannot execute pitches, but there is something there for the Red Sox to work with.
Story continues below advertisement
