In what was largely a procedural move and one that was already telegraphed earlier in the week, the Red Sox did not tender contracts to first baseman Nathaniel Lowe and pitcher Josh Winckowski.
Last Tuesday, when the team was in need of clearing spots on the 40-man roster in order to protect some prospects from next month’s Rule 5 draft, the Red Sox had designated both players for assignment.
The decision, then, to non-tender both Friday was a mere formality and made both players free agents, able to sign elsewhere.
Lowe, an August acquisition by the Sox after he had been released by the Washington Nationals, appeared in 34 games for the Sox and slashed .280/.370/.420 while hitting two homers and knocked in 16.
He was projected to earn $13.5 million in 2026 via salary arbitration, a number the Red Sox didn’t see as comparable with his perceived value. There remains the possibility that the team and Lowe could still come to an agreement on a smaller salary now that he’s a free agent, but that now seems a long shot.
Winckowski appeared in 121 games with the Red Sox from 2022 through this past season, 92 of them in relief, compiling a 4.20 ERA in those games. He missed much of the second half of this past season with a right elbow flexor strain.
Meanwhile, the Sox did tender contracts to four other salary arbitration eligible players: starters Kutter Crawford and Tanner Houck; first baseman Triston Casas; and utility man Romy Gonzalez.
Crawford is projected to make $2.75 million via arbitration with Houck, who is set to miss most of 2026 as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, is pegged for $3.95 million. Casas is projected for $1.7 million with Gonzales expected to make $1.8 million.
Teams and players will exchange arbitration figures Jan. 9, with hearings set for February.
The Red Sox also announced they had tendered contracts for the remainder of their unsigned players, all of whom have fewer than three years of major league service time. Those players have little leverage with the team and the majority will be signed in March.
On Thursday, the Red Sox reached agreement with catcher Connor Wong at $1.375 million. Earlier this month, they also reached agreement with Jarren Duran at $7.7 million.
On Tuesday, the team traded reliever Brennan Bernardino, another arbitration-eligible player, in a minor deal with the Colorado Rockies, part of a flurry of four trades that day.
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