Red Sox acquire flame-throwing right-hander from Houston Astros

The Boston Red Sox have bolstered their bullpen by acquiring right-handed reliever Alex Speas from the Houston Astros via waivers.

Speas was designated for assignment by the Astros last week and was not granted waivers, allowing the Red Sox to claim him.

Before he was injured in 2018, Speas had a fastball that could reach 102 mph, which his original team, the Texas Rangers, said would make him a star. However, an injury derailed his trajectory, but the right-hander made his MLB debut last season, where he appeared in three games and allowed three earned runs in 2.0 innings of work.

The second-round pick in the 2016 MLB draft was later designated for assignment by the Rangers before being selected on waivers by the Chicago White Sox in October 2023. He was then acquired by the Oakland Athletics who then also DFA’d him before ending up with Houston.

Now it’s the Red Sox’ turn to see if they can fix Speas, whose fastball now sits between 93 and 97 mph, and turn him into a functional member of the bullpen.

Some suggest his team plays better as a starter now, rather than as a reliever, after his injury.

Regardless, he couldn’t find a home with the surging Astros and might fit better in Boston. He’s a low-risk, high-reward proposition for the Red Sox.

Although he was part of four MLB teams (before the Red Sox) during his young career, he only saw MLB action with two. In 2024, he appeared in one game for Houston, pitching 2.0 innings and allowing one earned run.

He owns a career 9.00 ERA over 4.0 innings.