The Red Sox Free Agent All-Stars!

In a surprising announcement, Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen was named to this year's All Star team. Jansen was not regarded as one of this past offseason's biggest free agents, so making the All-Star team was definitely in that "good first impression" category. Considering some of the other names out there that switched teams this off-season, Jansen is in a league of his own. Take a look at the top 10 contracts handed out this winter to guys who didn't re-sign with their previous team:

Trea Turner, Phillies: $300,000,000

Xander Bogaerts, Padres: $280,000,000

Jacob deGrom, Rangers: $185,000,000

Dansby Swanson, Cubs: $177,000,000

Willson Contreras, Cardinals: $87,500,000

Justin Verlander, Mets: $86,666,666

Kodai Senga, Mets: $75,000,000

Jameson Taillon, Cubs: $68,000,000

Chris Bassitt, Blue Jays: $63,000,000

Jose Abreu, Astros: $58,500,000

Raise your hand if you thought the only All-Star out of this group would be Dansby Swanson... (Update: Senga made it as a replacement!)

Anyway, it made me wonder how many times the Red Sox signed a free agent and witnessed an All-Star season in the very first year. According to my research, Jansen is the 10th time that's happened! It's an unusual group of guys, from a future first ballot Hall of Famer to a couple of guys even hardcore Red Sox fans might not remember:

Bill Campbell, RP, 1977

 

1977 Topps #166 Bill Campbell

 

The first big free agent signing by the Red Sox turned out well. After winning the very first Rolaids Relief Award in 1976 for the Twins, Campbell signed a 5 year contract with Boston. He made his only All-Star team in 1977, and finished the year leading the league in saves and winning the Rolaids Award again.

Erik Hanson, SP, 1995

 

1995 Upper Deck #483 Erik Hanson (TR)

 

Probably the oddest entry in this list, Hanson signed a one-year contract prior to the 1995 season. He made his only All-Star squad en route to a 15-5 season, parlayed that into a multi-year contract with Toronto, and ended up as one of the worst free agent signings in franchise history. 

 

Jose Offerman, 2B, 1999

 

2000 Upper Deck
#61 Jose Offerman (AS)

 

The Red Sox badly needed a second baseman and lead-off hitter. They thought they were getting both when they signed Jose Offerman to a 4-year deal. His first season was actually pretty solid, and he made the All-Star team as a reserve. Wheels completely fell off after that, and he became Jose "Awful-man" to the Boston fandom.

 

Manny Ramirez, OF, 2001

 

2002 Ultra #206 Manny Ramirez (AS)

 

Arguably the greatest free agent signing in Red Sox history. Not only did Manny make the All-Star team during his first year in Boston, he made the All-Star team every single season of his 8-year contract. Outside of his personality shortcomings and PED usage, he was (statistically) worth every penny.

 

Johnny Damon, OF, 2002

 

2002 Fleer Tradition Update
#U327 Johnny Damon (AS)

 

Lightning struck twice as for the second straight year, Boston signed an outfielder who became an All-Star. Damon was actually the very first AL player to earn an All-Star nod by the now-defunct "All-Star Final Vote" gimmick  (beating out Jim Thome, Eric Chavez, Magglio Ordonez, and Darin Erstad).

 

Matt Clement, SP, 2005

 

2005 Topps Updates & Highlights
- All-Star Stitches #ASR-MCL
Matt Clement (MEM)

 

Clement was one of a handful of starters the World Champion Red Sox signed in an attempt to replace the departing Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe. He had a great first half of the 2005 season, going 10-2 and being named as a replacement for the injured Roy Halladay. Shortly after the All-Star break, he was struck in the head by a line drive and was never effective again.

 

Hideki Okajima, RP, 2007

 

2007 Topps Updates & Highlights
#UH247 Hideki Okajima (AS)

 

Prior to the 207 season, Boston made international news by signing a star pitcher from Japan. Who would have thought their second, less herald Japanese import would be the one to make the All-Star team? Okajima was fantastic out of the bullpen, and like Damon before him was named the winner of that year's "Final Vote", although he didn't get in the game. Later that year, he became the first Japanese pitcher to pitch in the World Series.

 

Adrian Beltre, 3B, 2010

 

2010 Topps Update
#US-328 Adrian Beltre (AS)

 

There was a time when no one, and I mean no one, thought of Adrian Beltre as a Hall of Fame player. I'm not saying that the one-year pillow contract he signed with the Red Sox in 2010 jump-started his Hall of Fame candidacy, but without that one amazing season in Boston, the Rangers would never have known what he was capable of. Why the Red Sox let him go after that I'll never understand...

 

J.D. Martinez, DH, 2018

 

2019 Topps Heritage
#359 J.D. Martinez (AS)

 

J.D. Martinez was one of the most impactful signings in franchise history. The professional hitter at the heart of one of the greatest Red Sox teams ever, Martinez made the All-Star team every single year of his contract (aside from the cancelled 2020 season of course), and continues his streak as a Dodgers All-Star this year.

 

Kenley Jansen, RP, 2023

 

2023 Topps Now #267 Kenley Jansen

 

There were many raised eyebrows at his nomination. Stat-wise, he's been solid but unspectacular. One could even argue that he's not the most deserving reliever on the team. Yet, his inclusion is merited. The Red Sox haven't had a true closer since Craig Kimbrel, and he's helped turn the Boston bullpen into a strength. He has built a Hall of Fame career and will be making his first All-Star game since 2018. Congrats Kenley!