The Boston Red Sox still haven't signed a free agent.
But they have made a few trades, and now they've negotiated contracts with some of their salary arbitration-eligible players.
Thursday was the last day for MLB teams to agree to deals with players to avoid them going to the sometimes contentious arbitration process.
The Red Sox did that with a pair of talented right-handed pitchers.
Tanner Houck will pitch the 2026 season for $4.1 million, according to MassLive's Chris Cotillo.
Johan Oviedo's 2026 salary will be $1.55 million, according to Ari Alexander.
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The 29-year old Houck will be entering his seventh MLB season with Boston in 2026.
He's coming off a nightmare season, when injuries limited him to nine MLB starts with an 8.04 ERA.
In 2024, he had gone for a 3.12 ERA in 30 starts, and Boston will surely hope he can get back to that. The Red Sox likely got nice savings because of Houck's rough 2025, though, so he'd be a bargain if he turns it around this season.
Oviedo is new to the Red Sox, having been acquired in a trade from the Pittsburgh Pirates earlier this offseason.
Last season, the talented righty made nine starts for Pittsburgh and had a 3.57 ERA. He struck out 9.4 batters per nine, his career-best mark.
Oviedo's concern is control. He has walked 4.4 batters per nine innings in his MLB career.
But the Red Sox have them both ready to roll and avoiding arbitration, which is a good move for vibes. The season and their time back on the mound will be here soon enough.
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