Red Sox Sign Jake Bauers to Four-Year Deal

The deal is the Red Sox’s first major move of the offseason as they look to strengthen their lineup. Bauers, 31, is coming off the best season of his career: he hit .266 with a .389 on-base percentage, 26 home runs and 86 RBIs in 2026.

He also made a major impact in the postseason, earning NLCS MVP honors after batting .286 with a .983 OPS as Milwaukee swept the Dodgers. Bauers had a 12-pitch walk in a pivotal rally in Game 2, then hit a go-ahead home run on an 11-pitch at-bat in Game 3.

Boston could use Bauers mainly as a designated hitter. The team’s DHs hit 21 home runs and drove in 74 runs in 2026, while the position was shared among several players. Bauers played mostly first base last season, with appearances in both corner outfield spots and four games at DH.

The signing carries draft and international spending costs because Bauers received a qualifying offer from the Brewers. Under current rules, Boston would give up its second- and fifth-highest picks in next year’s draft and $1 million from its international bonus allotment. Boston accepted similar penalties for signing Alex Bregman and Ranger Suárez in the previous two offseasons.

The agreement comes with the collective bargaining agreement set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on December 1. Major League Baseball’s owners plan to lock out players after it expires, a move that would freeze transactions.