With the offseason officially underway, the Boston Red Sox face several decisions, including trimming the 40-man roster, Garrett Whitlock’s team option, Sonny Gray’s mutual option, and what to do with three intriguing prospects set to hit minor league free agency. According to Francys Romero, the Red Sox have already made at least one of those decisions: relief prospect Angel Bastardo has agreed to a minor league deal to remain with the organization. As part of the deal, the 24-year-old will receive an invite to major league spring training. 

The right-handed pitcher joined the Red Sox organization in 2018, signing as an international amateur free agent for $35,000. After posting a 4.76 ERA in 327.1 innings over five years with the Red Sox organization, the Toronto Blue Jays selected Bastardo in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft. However, he spent the entire 2025 season recovering from Tommy John surgery undergone in late 2024. 

When Bastardo returned to the mound in 2026, he failed to make the Toronto roster out of spring training and was returned to the Red Sox. The 24-year-old spent the 2026 season with the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox, where he posted a 4.64 ERA in 40 appearances spanning 54.1 innings pitched. 

Bastardo has massive swing-and-miss stuff, including a 36 percent whiff rate (90th percentile) and a 30.8 percent chase rate (76th percentile), for a 31.9 percent strikeout rate (88th percentile). However, he struggled mightily with command, walking 14.4 percent of batters faced (26th percentile). 

After signing a deal to remain with the Red Sox, Bastardo will now compete in spring training for a spot in the best bullpen in baseball. 

According to SoxProspects.com, Bastardo is the No. 18 prospect in the Red Sox system.

The Red Sox have 18 other players set to become minor league free agents, many of whom served as pitching and catching depth in Worcester in 2026. However, two other names could get deals similar to Bastardo's, or simply be added to the 40-man roster to keep them in the organization. 

Boston’s No. 36-rated prospect, the 22-year-old switch-hitting outfielder spent the 2026 season with Triple-A Worcester, where he hit .252/.325/.397/.722 with 15 home runs, 18 doubles and 20 stolen bases, driving in 77 runs. 

SoxProspects’ No. 24-ranked prospect, Monegro spent much of the 2026 season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery in 2025. The 24-year-old right-hander briefly returned before the minor league season ended, making two appearances with High-A Greenville and one with Double-A Portland. In those three starts, Monegro allowed three earned runs on five hits, striking out eight and walking six.

The Red Sox will have until Nov. 2 to add pending minor-league free agents to the 40-man roster or re-sign them to minor-league deals to keep them in the organization.