Two Boston Red Sox Players Elect Free Agency
Once a Futures Game arm and top prospect, Mata spent 2025 healthy at Triple-A Worcester but struggled to a 5.08 ERA over 67.1 innings with 39 walks and 91 strikeouts.
Removed from the 40-man last winter, the 26-year-old is now expected to elect minor league free agency in search of a reset with a new organization.
The reality is Abraham Toro has been a great minor league signing. He had an .833 OPS in May and a .761 OPS in June. Toro gave the position some stability after the Casas injury.
— BallPark Buzz (@BallParkBuzz) August 20, 2025
However Toro has never been an every day guy. He’s never put it together for a full season. Toro… pic.twitter.com/Sh09ZmDiZE
Roster churn begins with depth exits
Multiple non-roster names have already walked, including catcher Ali Sánchez, reliever Nick Burdi, and infielder Abraham Toro.
Toro’s Boston chapter was a roller coaster.
Called up after Triston Casas’ season-ending knee injury, he gave the lineup a needed jolt with an early eight-game heater and a strong May before fading, finishing at .239/.289/.371 with seven homers across 77 games. He was designated for assignment in late August, outrighted to Worcester, and has now elected free agency.
Per the MiLB transactions log, UT Abraham Toro has elected free agency.
— Matthew Crory (@matthewcrory) October 12, 2025
So long “Honest Abe”🫡
Toro played in 77 games for the Red Sox, where he hit .239 with 7 HR, 27 RBI and a .660 OPS. He produced a 77 wRC+ and a -0.7 fWAR.
I’ll never forget his linsanity run through the… pic.twitter.com/q3B4Az9S6G
Mata’s arc points to a change of scenery
For Mata, the talent has never been in doubt, but availability and command have limited the climb. He missed all of 2021 and managed only 49.2 total innings across 2023 and 2024.
The move to full-time relief brought swing-and-miss at Worcester, yet run prevention and free passes kept a Fenway chance out of reach. Boston could invite him back on a minor-league pact, but after eight seasons in the system, a fresh opportunity elsewhere appears more likely.
Photo Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
