The Boston Red Sox revealed on Friday afternoon that right-hander Cooper Criswell is officially headed to a new home. The New York Mets placed a successful waiver claim on the 29-year-old pitcher, ending his two-season tenure in Boston only a day after the Red Sox designated him for assignment.
Boston’s decision to DFA Criswell came swiftly after the organization completed a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates, acquiring Johan Oviedo and Tyler Samaniego as part of a broader push to reshape and elevate their pitching depth. Once those reinforcements were added, Criswell, while serviceable and often reliable, became one of the more expendable arms in a crowded staff.
Criswell’s Tenure in Boston: Solid, Steady, and Ultimately Squeezed Out
Criswell joined the Red Sox as a depth option and managed to carve out a consistent role over two years in the rotation and bullpen. During that span, he delivered a 7–5 record and a 4.00 ERA, logging 117 innings across 33 total appearances, 19 of which came as starts. While he was seldom dominant, he was frequently dependable capable of covering innings, managing contact, and keeping Boston in games.
But with the front office clearly intent on upgrading the staff heading into the Winter Meetings, his role was increasingly marginalized. Boston has made pitching a point of emphasis following the inconsistencies that hurt them late in the previous season, and Criswell simply didn’t project to hold one of the limited roster spots moving forward.
A New Direction for the Red Sox Pitching Staff
Boston’s pitching transformations accelerated rapidly this offseason.
The acquisition of Johan Oviedo, a young and talented arm with starting experience, was a strong signal that the Red Sox were no longer content with merely surviving on the mound they intended to compete. Shortly after completing the Oviedo trade, the team also landed Sonny Gray, the veteran St. Louis Cardinals righty who boasts three All-Star appearances and fresh Cy Young candidacy in recent years.
Adding Gray, along with the newly acquired Oviedo and emerging standout Garrett Crochet, signals the construction of a more formidable rotation. Boston’s front office has expressed interest in not only improving top-level starters but also reinforcing the back end of the rotation, adding bullpen reliability, and ensuring that depth is no longer a weakness.
Thus, the Red Sox were left with a difficult roster decision. Criswell’s experience, durability, and affordability made him attractive enough to pass through waivers only briefly before the Mets picked him up.
Who Exactly Is Cooper Criswell? A Look at His Journey
Criswell’s baseball journey has been one of persistence. Drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 13th round in 2018, he wasn’t heralded as a top prospect, yet he climbed steadily through the minor leagues with a profile built on command, craftiness, and a deceptive delivery rather than elite velocity.
He made his major league debut for the Angels in 2021 before being claimed by the Tampa Bay Rays, one of baseball’s most analytically driven franchises known for identifying undervalued pitchers. With Tampa Bay, Criswell continued developing his pitch mix, notably relying on movement, sequencing, and inducing weak contact.
Across his career 154⅔ major-league innings, Criswell holds an 8–7 record with a 4.46 ERA. His statistical profile suggests a pitcher who rarely overwhelms hitters but often navigates lineups effectively when he keeps the ball down and maintains command.
Why the Mets Wanted Criswell
New York’s pitching staff has been a point of uncertainty. Only David Peterson and Clay Holmes managed at least 25 starts during the 2025 season. Injuries, inconsistency, and depth concerns plagued the staff throughout the year.
Star pitcher Kodai Senga, who showed flashes of brilliance with a 3.02 ERA in 22 starts, was even briefly demoted to the minors to work through mechanical issues. His name has also circulated in trade speculation, adding further fog around the future of the Mets rotation.
Criswell therefore represents an appealing fit:
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Low-cost roster option
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Experience in both rotation and bullpen roles
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Ability to handle long relief, spot starts, or fill in during injuries
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Age and contract control that fit organizational flexibility
While the Mets may not be asking him to carry the rotation, they are seeking stability on the margins, and Criswell checks that box well.
Starter or Reliever? Criswell’s Role Has Evolved
Although Criswell spent most of his professional career as a starter, recent years have shown a shift. With Tampa Bay in 2023, all 10 of his appearances came out of the bullpen, suggesting that teams may now view him as a swingman or multi-inning reliever rather than a traditional rotation piece.
That versatility is exactly what teams like the Mets often value. With injuries inevitable over a 162-game season, pitchers who can seamlessly transition between roles can become unexpectedly crucial. Criswell has demonstrated he can adapt, and that trait may ultimately determine his value in New York.
Part of a Larger Mets Pitching Revamp
Criswell is not the only new arm in Queens this week. The Mets also made a major bullpen splash by officially signing Devin Williams, a two-time All-Star and former NL Rookie of the Year, to a three-year, $51 million contract.
Williams, known for his devastating changeup and elite swing and miss ability, projects to lock down the ninth inning and stabilize a bullpen that has struggled mightily to find consistency in recent seasons.
Pairing Williams with Criswell highlights the Mets’ multipronged approach:
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Impact talent (Williams) to solidify the late innings
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Inexpensive depth (Criswell) to guard against rotation issues
The Mets’ front office appears determined to avoid the pitfalls of 2025, when insufficient depth contributed to costly losing streaks during the summer months.
A Future Mets, Red Sox Reunion? Not Anytime Soon
If Criswell is hoping to face his former club and make a statement, he’ll have to wait. The Mets and Red Sox won’t meet until mid-summer next year, with a three-game interleague series at Citi Field starting July 10. By then, Criswell’s role in New York may be fully established whether as a long reliever, rotation fill-in, or something more.
Looking Ahead to Opening Day
Regardless of what role Criswell ultimately fills, the Mets already have their sights set on the 2026 campaign. They’ll open the season at home on Thursday, March 26, hosting phenom Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The addition of Criswell gives New York another arm to evaluate during spring training, and considering the volatility of pitching workloads, he could quickly find himself thrust into meaningful innings.
What This Means for Boston
On Boston’s side, the decision to part ways with Criswell underscores their confidence in the upgrades they’ve made. By adding Oviedo, Gray, and additional depth pieces, Boston’s pitching staff heading into the Winter Meetings looks significantly stronger and more versatile.
The Red Sox appear committed to transforming a unit that faltered at key moments last season into one that can support a playoff-caliber run. While Criswell contributed positively during his stay, the organization clearly determined that his long-term fit was limited within their new structural vision.
For both teams, Criswell’s move represents more than a routine waiver claim. For the Mets, he’s a strategic depth addition a pitcher with flexibility, experience, and affordability. For the Red Sox, his departure clears room for an aggressively retooled rotation that aligns with the team’s ambitions entering 2026.
As the offseason unfolds and roster moves continue to shake the league, Criswell’s transition from Boston to New York is a reminder of just how quickly fortunes change for players on the bubble and how opportunities often emerge when least expected.
