One of the Red Sox’ first moves of the offseason became official Sunday afternoon — and it was something of a no-brainer.
The Boston Red Sox have officially exercised their 2027 club option on setup reliever Garrett Whitlock, securing his return on an $8.25 million salary. The decision follows a standout 2026 campaign where Whitlock served as the primary setup man ahead of closer Aroldis Chapman. The team declined a $1 million buyout option that would have sent him to free agency.
Whitlock recorded a 1.72 ERA, 26 holds, and 59 strikeouts across 54 appearances in 2026 despite pitching through elbow inflammation and a late-season fractured tibia. The 30-year-old will enter his seventh season with Boston, which also holds a $10.5 million club option on his contract for 2028.
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