MAJOR-NEWS; Massive Boost As Yankees Land Former Red Sox Most Decorated Top Reliever To Bolster Offense.

On Tuesday, the New York Yankees bolstered their pitching depth by signing former Boston Red Sox reliever Colten Brewer to a minor league contract.

Brewer, a 32-year-old right-handed pitcher, spent parts of three seasons with the Red Sox from 2019 to 2021. During his first year in Boston, he made 58 appearances out of the bullpen, posting a 4.12 ERA with a 1-2 record and 52 strikeouts across 54 2/3 innings. However, his role with the team diminished in the following two seasons, as he made just 12 appearances.

This isn’t Brewer’s first time in Yankees gear. New York had traded for him from the Tampa Bay Rays ahead of the 2023 season, and Brewer made three appearances for the team that year, allowing four earned runs over 8 1/3 innings. Prior to that, he had spent a season away from the major leagues.

In 2024, Brewer spent time with the Chicago Cubs, appearing in 16 relief outings and securing one save. Unfortunately, his season ended prematurely when he fractured his left hand after punching a dugout wall following a July appearance.

While Brewer’s signing may not rival the high-profile moves that Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has made this offseason—such as the potential acquisition of star outfielder Juan Soto—it does provide crucial organizational pitching depth. Such moves are vital to the team’s overall strategy, as pitching staffs often face injuries over the course of a demanding 162-game season.