Red Sox Sign Taylor Cole

Photo Credit: The Associated Press

As the normal start time of spring training creeps closer and closer, the MLB remains locked out. The two sides have made little progress and are only currently meeting once every two weeks. With a lockout comes a halt to all major league signings. Minor league signings are still allowed and the Red Sox made one today, signing 32 year old RHP Taylor Cole to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. 

Cole signed with the Blue Jays in 2011 after being drafted in the 29th round. Cole spent all of 2011-2016 pitching in the Blue Jays minor league system before making his major league debut on August 9th 2017. Cole also pitched for the Angels in 2018 and 2019. In total Cole posted a 7-6 record with a 4.97 ERA in 57 appearances in the MLB. His most memorable MLB outing was undoubtedly when he pitched the first two innings of a combined no hitter for the Angels in 2019. A no hitter is a cool accomplishment no matter what. But this wasn’t just any old game. It was the Angels first home game since the tragic passing of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs. The entire Angels team wore Skaggs number 45, and it was just a downright special evening that Cole got to be a part of. 

Cole had shoulder surgery in August of 2020 and has not pitched in an affiliated ball since 2019. He did however pitch in the Dominican Winter league in 2021 and posted a 2.08 ERA with eight strikeouts and six walks. This came in 8 and 2/3 innings of work. 

There is really not much for the Red Sox to lose here. Sox scouts assigned to the Dominican Winter league must have liked what they saw enough to give Cole a shot. I think he will likely spend most of if not all of the year in Worcester, but injuries or shortcomings from other guys could give Cole a chance if he is good enough at the AAA level.