Red Sox sign pitcher Daniel Gossett to minor-league deal, will extend spring training invite

Daniel Gossett made 23 starts for the Oakland Athletics in 2017 and 2018.Darron Cummings/Associated Press

As part of their ongoing quest to add depth to their pitching staff, the Red Sox signed 28-year-old righthander Daniel Gossett to a minor league deal with an invitation to big league spring training.

According to a major league source, the deal comes with a big-league salary of $750,000 should Gossett be called up.

Gossett, a 2014 second-round selection by the A’s out of Clemson, made 23 big league starts for Oakland in 2017-18, going 4-14 with a 5.91 ERA with 6.5 strikeout and 3.0 walks per nine innings in 115 ⅔ innings. He underwent Tommy John surgery in mid-2018, but completed his rehab and was healthy enough to pitch in the Arizona Fall League (2.57 ERA, 12 strikeouts, 3 walks in 14 innings) following the 2019 season.

Despite his struggles in the big leagues, Gossett performed well in the minors, including a 2.87 ERA with 8.2 strikeouts and 3.0 walks per nine innings in 128 innings in Triple-A. His addition represents depth for the Red Sox behind 40-man roster options such as the recently signed Matt Andriese as well as Nick Pivetta and Tanner Houck, potentially buying time for prospects such as Bryan Mata and Connor Seabold to complete their minor league development if the Sox need to call up a starter, particularly early in the year. News of Gossett’s signing was first reported by Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

Daniel Gossett was a 2014 second-round selection by the A’s out of Clemson.Darron Cummings/Associated Press

While the Sox have added Andriese and now Gossett this winter, the team remains active in conversations with a wide array of targets in hopes of upgrading the middle of the rotation.

One potential target, free agent Corey Kluber, will conduct a workout for interested teams in Florida on January 13, according to his agent, B.B. Abbott. The Sox have expressed interest in the two-time Cy Young winner – who missed nearly all of 2020 due to a torn teres major muscle in the back of his right shoulder – and are expected to attend his workout.

The Sox have also shown interest this offseason in 31-year-old righthander Tomoyuki Sugano, who has until Thursday to reach an agreement with an MLB team after being posted by the Yomiuri Giants following an outstanding 2020 performance in which he went 14-2 with a 1.97 ERA in 137⅓ innings in the NPB. He reportedly could finalize his decision by Tuesday. It is unknown whether the Red Sox are still in the mix for Sugano.