We expected November to be a busy month as MLB teams rushed to secure talent before an expected lockout on Dec. 1. And now, just one day after the GM Meetings wrapped in Las Vegas, we have our first major signing of the off-season.
The Boston Red Sox jump-started their winter and addressed a major need by inking playoff hero Jake Bauers to a four-year deal.
The first baseman enjoyed a strong regular season and followed that by helping the Milwaukee Brewers to a World Series title. That, no doubt, served to boost his value even more.
Here’s a closer look:
The deal:
Jake Bauers agreed to a four-year, $58-million deal with the Red Sox, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.
The runners up:
It’s not exactly clear which teams were pursuing Bauers, but the big-spending New York Mets were among the clubs that could have used an injection of offence at first base. The Mets received -0.8 fWAR from the position in 2026, the worst mark in MLB.
The player:
Bauers contemplated retirement following the 2024 campaign. To that point he’d kicked around five MLB clubs and produced -1.9 bWAR and a .662 OPS over 528 career games.
However, with his family growing, Bauers decided to re-dedicate himself to baseball and after he re-joined the Brewers on a minor-league deal, the Newport Beach, Calif., native put together a solid 2025 season (.752 OPS).
This year, though, he took his game to the next level with a stunning breakout.
Bauers slashed .266/.389/.484 with 26 homers, 86 RBIs and a 140 OPS-plus. He excelled in just about every area of his offensive profile: His 16.3 per cent walk rate ranked in the 98th percentile, while his hard-hit rate, average exit velocity, bat speed and chase percentage all registered above the 90th percentile.
Those impressive metrics suggest his 2026 wasn’t a fluke and at 31, he’s got relative youth on his side.
Bauers further boosted his earning potential with a strong post-season showing. He was named National League Championship Series MVP in part because of two epic plate appearances that displayed impressive discipline and tenacity.
In Game 2, Bauers worked a pivotal 12-pitch walk against right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto in an at-bat that lasted 7:04 minutes. Then, in the next contest, he endured an 11-pitch battle with left-hander Blake Snell that resulted in a go-ahead, two-run homer.
The fit:
Boston’s offence ranked 23rd with 689 runs last season, and in September, the team scored an MLB-worst 71 runs. Ever since Red Sox president Craig Breslow dealt first baseman Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants two months into the 2025 season, it’s been obvious that the team needed another potent, run-producing bat in the middle of its lineup.
Bauers will certainly help and, according to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, the organization’s plan is to have him split time with Willson Contreras at first base and designated hitter. Along with Wilyer Abreu (24 homers, 38 doubles), the Red Sox suddenly boast a stronger heart of the order, one that could get even scarier if promising youngster Roman Anthony rebounds from a tough season.
As for the Brewers, the loss of Bauers is disappointing, even if it was somewhat expected for the small-market club. However, with a strong farm system and a shrewd front office, the defending champs will be just fine.
The market:
Sportsnet colleague Ben Nicholson-Smith forecasted a three-year, $73.5-million deal for Bauers, while MLB Trade Rumors went low with a one-year, $23.15-million prediction.
The next domino: Bauers was the best available free-agent first baseman. Ty France, who experienced a similar breakout in 2026, is next on the list. Outside of that position, there’s plenty of excellent contributors on the board, with outfielders Randy Arozarena and Seiya Suzuki leading the way, followed by Japanese slugger Teruaki Sato.
