The Boston Red Sox have agreed to sign first baseman Jake Bauers, a key bat on the World Series champion Milwaukee Brewers, to a four-year, $58 million contract, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Friday, Nov. 13.[1][2] The Red Sox had not announced the deal as of Friday evening.
Related: Red Sox inquire about Seiya Suzuki after ranking 26th in homers
What Bauers brings
Bauers, 31, hit .266 with a .389 on-base percentage and a .484 slugging percentage in 2026, with 26 home runs and 86 RBI, for a Brewers team that won 103 games.[1][2] He led Milwaukee in home runs, ranked third in the majors in on-base percentage and was named MVP of the National League Championship Series, in which the Brewers swept the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers.[2]
His breakout came late. Boston.com noted that his OPS rose from .662 two seasons ago to .752 in 2025 and .873 in 2026, and that he hit both right-handed and left-handed pitching well this year.[2] His patience also stands out: he ranked in the 98th percentile in walk rate and the 93rd percentile in chase rate, a contrast with a Red Sox lineup Boston.com described as prone to strikeouts.[2]
Where he fits
Willson Contreras was Boston’s starting first baseman last season and hit 27 home runs, though he missed time with injuries. He is under contract for 2027 with a club option for 2028.[1] Contreras finished 10th in AL MVP voting this week (see our MVP coverage).
Boston.com reported that Bauers is expected to be the regular designated hitter and fill in for Contreras at first base.[2] NBC Boston said it is unclear whether the move means the team will try to trade Contreras, and that sharing first base and DH between the two could push one of Boston’s four starting-caliber outfielders out.[1]
What happens next
Boston.com called the signing a quick start to the offseason for Craig Breslow and the Red Sox.[2] The deal becomes official once the team announces it. Follow more Boston sports news and our Red Sox coverage.
Sources
- NBC Boston: Red Sox sign first baseman Jake Bauers away from World Series champs: report
- Boston.com: Jake Bauers: Things to know about the Red Sox’ new slugger
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