Outfielder Jermaine Jones, 29, who represented Korea in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), has found a new home with the Boston Red Sox after narrowly avoiding a release from his previous team.
The Red Sox announced on Wednesday that they had acquired Jones from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for a player to be named later.
Jones, who had been playing for Detroit, was designated for assignment (DFA) on July 10 to make room for catcher and first baseman Eduardo Valencia’s promotion to the major leagues.
Last season with Detroit, Jones had a breakout year, appearing in 72 games and posting impressive numbers: a .287 batting average (37 hits in 129 at-bats), 7 home runs, 23 run batted ins (RBIs), 21 runs scored, and a robust .937 on-base plus slugging (OPS).
This stellar performance earned him a spot on the Korean national baseball team, where he played a key role in their first WBC quarterfinal appearance in 17 years.
However, Jones has struggled this season, hitting a meager .137 (13 hits in 95 at-bats) with just 2 home runs, 7 RBIs, and 7 runs scored in 57 games, resulting in a disappointing .440 OPS.
The Red Sox, in need of a right-handed outfielder, saw an opportunity in Jones. According to MLB.com, Boston is banking on Jones to bounce back in the hitter-friendly confines of Fenway Park.
With this fresh start in the big leagues, Jones is expected to platoon with left-handed hitters Masataka Yoshida and Jarren Duran, likely getting starts against left-handed pitchers.
To make room for Jones on their 26-man roster, the Red Sox optioned utility player Nate Eaton to their Triple-A affiliate, the Worcester Red Sox.