The Red Sox were always going to have options to fill out their pitching staff once the Major League Baseball lockout ended. Saturday, the pool of candidates thinned out a bit.
Pending physicals, Relievers Joe Kelly and Jeurys Familia, along with starter Chris Bassitt all found themselves on the verge of joining new teams, none of the landing spots being Boston.
Kelly, whose season ended abruptly due to a biceps injury in the postseason last year, has agreed to a two-year deal with a club option with the White Sox.
The White Sox' interest not only stemmed from Kelly's solid 2021 season, and big-game experience, but the admiration of manager Tony La Russa, who was part of the Red Sox organization when Kelly helped the Sox to the 2018 world championship.
Familia garnered early interest from the Red Sox but it is unclear how involved they were by the time the reliever struck his deal with Dave Dombrowski's Phillies.
According to the New York Post, Familia's deal is a one-year agreement worth $6 million.
The trade of Bassitt to the Mets began what many believe will be a fire-sale in Oakland, with the 33-year-old All-Star starter one year away from becoming free agent-eligible. New York secured his services by sending minor-leaguer pitchers J.T. Ginn and Adam Oller to the A's. (According to MLBPipeline.com, Ginn immediately becomes Oakland's fourth-best prospect, while Oller lands at No. 19.)