When their 2025 season ended, the Boston Red Sox had a big free agent decision on their hands. And while 5-foot-11 third baseman Alex Bregman would surely cost more than the $35 million he was owed in 2025, he couldn’t measure up to 6-foot-7 pitcher Eduardo Rivera.
Rivera, who split the season between the advanced Class-A Greenville Drive and the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, was eligible for free agency. Tuesday, the left-hander re-signed with the Red Sox, according to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe on Bluesky.
Rivera, 22, went a mere 1-5 in his first exposure to the Double-A level at Portland in 2025. Yet he also struck out 40 batters in 42.1 innings and posted a 3.40 ERA in 10 games (nine starts).
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A native of Puerto Rico, Rivera signed with the Red Sox in June 2024, less than a month after he was released from his minor league contract with the Oakland A’s.
Rivera finished the 2024 season with Class-A Salem, going 0-1 with a 1.99 ERA in six games (four starts), striking out 30 batters and walking just seven in 22.2 innings.
Before he was promoted to Portland, the Red Sox assigned Rivera to the Greenville Drive, their advanced Class-A affiliate in the South Atlantic League. He dominated hitters to the tune of a 1.61 ERA, 68 strikeouts, and a 0.83 WHIP in 44.2 innings.
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Even though he is not listed among the Red Sox’s Top 30 prospects by MLB Pipeline, any pitcher of Rivera’s size can command an organization’s attention. Clearly the Sox were willing to bet on Rivera’s potential again.
Speier notes that Rivera could be a mid/late-year big league depth option in 2026. Yet if other organizations believe Rivera is that close to the big leagues, they might just select him in the Rule 5 draft in December.
Rivera was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the A’s in June 2021.
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