Red Sox Land Jake Bauers for $58 Million Amid First Major Winter Moves

The Boston Red Sox signed NLCS MVP Jake Bauers to a four-year, $58 million contract following his breakout 2026 season.

The Boston Red Sox signed first baseman and designated hitter Jake Bauers to a four-year, $58 million contract, paying $14.5 million annually. Bauers, the 2026 National League Championship Series MVP for the Milwaukee Brewers, finished last season 11th in the majors in OPS and third in on-base percentage. His Statcast data included a 98th percentile walk rate and 94th percentile hard-hit rate. With Willson Contreras remaining at first base, Bauers is expected to slot in as the primary designated hitter for a lineup that includes outfielders Roman Anthony, Wilyer Abreu, and Ceddanne Rafaela.

In other early 2026-27 offseason transactions, the Atlanta Braves signed reliever Evan Phillips to a three-year, $35 million deal. Phillips, who underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2025, made 31 appearances for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2026, recording 33 strikeouts and six walks across 26 innings. His arrival allows Atlanta to potentially move Didier Fuentes from the bullpen to the starting rotation. Phillips joins a relief corps that ranked fourth in the majors in ERA last season despite the free-agent departure of Raisel Iglesias.

The Detroit Tigers addressed their bullpen by signing Emilio Pagan to a one-year, $11.5 million contract. Pagan served as the Cincinnati Reds' closer for the past two seasons, though he allowed 17 home runs in 111⅓ innings during that span. Detroit finished 76-86 in 2026, ranking 26th in win probability added for relievers. Pagan’s fastball velocity sat at 94.9 mph last season, down from 95.8 mph in 2025. He replaces Kenley Jansen, who converted 22 of 28 save opportunities for the Tigers last year.