As the offseason dust settles, the Boston Red Sox are staring down a roster makeover that’s bound to reshape their fortunes by Opening Day in March. The 2025 campaign ended on a sour note, with the team’s starting rotation ravaged by injuries and tough decisions. From releasing former All-Star Walker Buehler to thrusting rookie Connelly Early into the spotlight for a high-stakes playoff clash, the Sox were scraping the barrel just to stay afloat.
Early’s major league debut came under the most dramatic circumstances—on the very day the Red Sox sidelined right-hander Dustin May with yet another injury. Now, as May hits free agency this Sunday, Boston has zero incentive to chase a reunion. This once-promising arm, acquired in a midseason blockbuster, turned out to be one of the franchise’s most regrettable deadline deals in years.
But here’s the million-dollar question (or should we say $12 million?): What’s Dustin May really worth on the open market? After joining the Sox from the Los Angeles Dodgers, May managed just six outings, stumbling to a dismal 1-4 record with a bloated 5.40 ERA. His track record screams caution—plagued by injuries and a lackluster 2025 performance—yet his raw talent might still tempt a desperate contender to roll the dice.
Enter NBC Sports analyst Matthew Pouliot, who dropped a surprisingly optimistic projection: a one-year, $12 million pact—nearly six times May’s salary from last season. “May stayed healthy enough to make 23 starts and two relief appearances,” Pouliot noted, “but with his velocity down 2-3 mph and his cutter lacking its former movement, he just wasn’t the same pitcher in his return from flexor tendon and esophageal surgeries last season.”
Still, at just 28 years old, May’s upside lingers like a tantalizing what-if. “Fortunately, he still has youth on his side,” Pouliot added, “and if he is stronger in his second year back, he’s someone a team can imagine starting a postseason game.” It’s a gamble that could pay off for the right club, but Red Sox Nation can breathe easy—their team isn’t biting.
After all, May’s brief stint cost Boston dearly: promising outfield prospect James Tibbs III and intriguing wildcard Zach Erhard. Watching another squad swoop in for this reclamation project? It’ll be popcorn-worthy drama. But for the Sox, it’s time to move on—no regrets, no second thoughts.
One silver lining in May’s turbulent year? He logged a career-high 132 1/3 innings, hinting at potential durability. Or is it a false dawn, foreshadowing more time on the injured list? Only time will tell, but Boston’s front office isn’t waiting around to find out. The future is bright without this pricey puzzle piece—time to cut bait and cast for bigger fish.