Boston Red Sox Rumors: 4 relievers team should pursue for bullpen help

A little over one-third of the 2019 season is complete and the time is past due for the Boston Red Sox to make a move to solidify their bullpen.

The word “horrible” has been thrown around in regards to the relievers of the Boston Red Sox. While this might be true when applied to a few relievers, the bullpen on a whole has been merely average.

Average isn’t going to get it done if the Red Sox hopes to return to the playoffs.

Throughout 2018 – at least during the first half of the season – the same frustration with the bullpen was present. The relief corps, however, turned things up a notch and was at their best from the end of July up through the World Series.

Part of last season’s success was Boston’s closer Craig Kimbrel, who left as a free agent after the season and remains one here in early June. Chances are, with the draft pick compensation designation no longer on him, he’s a reliever who will be employed soon.

Just don’t expect it to be with the Boston Red Sox.

Nothing is firmly stated in this regard, yes, and the Red Sox need a closer, but if the team and Kimbrel truly wanted one another, a way would have been found by now.

Matt Barnes and Ryan Brasier, plus the rest of the bullpen, have contributed nine blown saves so far. Barnes, Marcus Walden, and Brandon Workman have been the stalwarts, with Brasier struggling with command and locating his pitches.

Others have been horrible and something needs to be done, especially with no fifth starter and the bullpen guaranteed to pitch 5-8 innings in a game every fifth day. Here are four relievers, outside of Kimbrel, that Boston should consider pursuing.