Two years ago, first baseman Jake Bauers wasn’t sure if he’d ever play baseball again.
Coming off a 2024 season in which he hit .199, Bauers had decided to hang the cleats up and step away from baseball. Plans changed, though, and after an incredible two-year stretch highlighted by Bauers winning NLCS MVP, the 31-year-old agreed to a massive contract on Friday.
Jake Bauers is headed to the Boston Red Sox
According to ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan, Bauers and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a four-year, $58 million contract.
The deal comes in light of a breakout 2026 season in which Bauers slashed .266/.389/.484, good for an OPS of .874 with 22 doubles, 26 home runs and 86 RBI.
Bauers’ addition to the Boston lineup is much needed, as it fell below league average in several offensive categories last season, including slugging percentage (19th) and OPS (19th).
