Victor

Santos

Santos appeared in 33 games for Triple-A Memphis last season, pitching to a 5.61 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, and 60/33 K/BB ratio in 77 innings. Santos was released earlier in January once it was revealed that he expected to miss the 2025 season while rehabilitating from an injury, but the Cardinals will now have him for two more seasons and can help him with the rehab. Santos and Nick Robertson came to the Cardinals last off-season in a trade with the Red Sox for Tyler O’Neill. Robertson is no longer on the Cardinals.

Santos, 23, made 28 appearances (25 starts) between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester in 2023 — registering a 4.97 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and a 126/34 K/BB ratio over 145 frames. He’ll add rotation depth in the upper minors for the Cardinals and could wind up making a spot start or two for the big league club during the 2024 season.

A change of scenery is exactly what the dynamic 28-year-old outfielder needs — after several disappointing seasons that were plagued by injuries, poor performance and under-utilization by the Cardinals. He couldn’t have landed in a much better spot from a fantasy perspective either, as Fenway Park should play beautifully to his right-handed power stroke. Would would be really intriguing, is if the Red Sox could get him to pull the ball a bit more. Expect O’Neill’s average draft position to get a major bump.

Robertson, 25, appeared in 18 contests between the Dodgers and Red Sox in 2023 — registering a 6.04 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and a 26/9 K/BB ratio over 22 1/3 innings of work. He should have a shot at competing for a spot in the club’s Opening Day bullpen in 2024.

Santos, 21, is a true lottery ticket for the Red Sox. He’s put up promising numbers, including a 3.05 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 15/4 K/BB ratio across 20 2/3 innings (four starts) at Double-A Reading this season. He’s still a long way from the big leagues, but there’s some potential here long-term.