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Boston Red Sox rumors: Matt Barnes ready for closer pressure

By Sam Minton

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 18: Matt Barnes #32 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates in the clubhouse after defeating the Houston Astros 4-1 in Game Five of the American League Championship Series to advance to the 2018 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 18, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 18: Matt Barnes #32 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates in the clubhouse after defeating the Houston Astros 4-1 in Game Five of the American League Championship Series to advance to the 2018 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 18, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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The Boston Red Sox haven’t signed Craig Kimbrel and Matt Barnes is ready to take over the closer role.

For Craig Kimbrel, the MLB hot stove might as well be in Antarctica. The closer seems to be waiting for a deal that will never come. Every day means that the Boston Red Sox have a better chance of having a different closer to start the season.

It is stunning that Kimbrel hasn’t signed a deal yet. He may have had a solid regular season racking up 42 saves and 96 strikeouts, but Kimbrel was completely different in the postseason.

Kimbrel had a 6.74 ERA in 9 postseason appearances. When Kimbrel went out on the mound, Red Sox fans weren’t exactly confident.

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Now Kimbrel has reached the wonderful age of 30. Once you hit that age, things start to go downhill. There is no reason for the Boston Red Sox to overpay for the closer.

Dave Dombrowski said the Red Sox are going to be patient and they aren’t afraid to replace him with someone in the organization. One of those guys could be Matt Barnes.

Barnes pitched 61.2 innings last season and struck out 96 batters.

In the playoffs Barnes was impressive. He appeared in 10 games and had an ERA of 1.04. Barnes was basically unhittable.

With his success in the postseason, Barnes believes he can handle being the team’s closer.

I think that Barnes has a point. Being a closer isn’t an easy job. All the weight is on your shoulders. You can be the reason that a team loses a game.

But pitching in the postseason isn’t an easy task. One could argue that there is much more pressure in the postseason compared to closing out a game.

Next. Red Sox rumors: Goodbye Drew Pomeranz, hello patience. dark

So don’t be surprised if you see Matt Barnes entering the game in the bottom of the 9th.

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