Former Red Sox infielder Bobby Dalbec is taking his talents to Asia.
Dalbec, who spent time with three different organizations in 2025 after his nine-season run in the Red Sox organization concluded, has signed with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan, a source confirmed Sunday. Gaijin Baseball was first to report the deal, which according to a source guarantees Dalbec more than $1 million.
Dalbec, a former fourth-round pick and top power prospect, played in 331 games for the Red Sox over five seasons, hitting .222 with 47 homers, 142 RBIs and a .714 OPS. After he was designated for assignment late in the 2024 season, Dalbec elected free agency and signed a minor league deal with the White Sox last winter. He spent the vast majority of the year at Triple-A, splitting his time between the White Sox, Brewers and Royals organizations. He hit .269 with 24 homers and 82 RBIs in 105 Triple-A games while also appearing in seven MLB games for Chicago, going 4-for-18 with a double.
American power hitters usually represent a draw in Japan, where fringe major leaguers can often make more than they would on a non-guaranteed deal stateside. Dalbec, now 30, will take his talents to Japan for at least the 2026 season and could potentially look to return to America in 2027. With the Giants, he’ll join fellow longtime Red Sox minor leaguer Bryan Mata, who joined Yomiuri earlier this winter.