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.
A Washington National
For a team that has loaded their rotation with lefties, Boston has not a one in their bullpen. The relievers are built to take on the New York Yankees and their row of righties, but a lefty in the bullpen might be nice.
Enter Sean Doolittle (3-1, 3.24 ERA) of the Washington Nationals. With the Nationals falling behind the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves in the N.L. East, they may very well be sellers again this year. Washington may want to wait to see how June plays out, but the Boston Red Sox should jump in early and put an offer together.
Doolittle is due six million this season and can enter free agency in 2020. But he has been solid throughout his career and has 12 saves in 2019. Doolittle also has 30 strikeouts in 25 innings, though he has allowed three home runs (after allowing only three in all of 2018).
He also has experience in the American League, pitching with the Oakland A’s until the middle of 2017. If the Red Sox don’t make a move for this reliever, however, there is another left-handed closer out there that Boston could at least check on the availability of.
Will Smith, San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are on their way to a last-place finish over in the National League West and will likely be sellers as this summer.
If that’s the case, closer Will Smith (1-0, 2.38 ERA) could be on the trading block and the Boston Red Sox should give their due diligence inquiring about him.
Smith has 13 saves in 23 appearances in 2019, striking out 32 in the process. He is a free agent after this season, meaning a trade to any team might mean a short stay in 2019.
If there is one thing Smith has done in 2019, its get results. And he, like Doolittle, has experience in the American League, pitching with the Kansas City Royals back in 2012 and 2013.
If Boston does engage in talks with the Giants, maybe they could also inquire about a certain all-star who might also be available (though at a steeper cost). For now, though, we’re here to discuss relievers, including another closer.
Alex Colome
The Chicago White Sox, even while hovering close to a .500 record, might also be willing to part with one of their better players. This includes closer Alex Colome (2-0, 1.52 ERA).
Colome has appeared in 24 games in 2019, collecting 12 saves while striking out 24. It’s not quite the K/9 one would like to see in a closer, but the Red Sox need someone who has the ability to strike out people out in tight situations.
Plus, Colome has experience in the American League East, playing his first 5.5 seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays. It was with Tampa Bay in 2017 in which Colome enjoyed his finest professional season, recording 47 saves.
As with all of the relievers mentioned, Boston isn’t the only team on the lookout for bullpen help. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies are looking to bolster their ‘pen. Even the New York Yankees could throw a wrench in things by playing a game of chess and acquire Colome just to keep him out of Boston.
Addison Reed
As mentioned earlier, the old friend would not be Kimbrel (even if that’s the simplest, most obvious answer). The answer is Addison Reed.
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In this scenario, Barnes and Brasier would continue to handle the duties of closer, while Reed would be inserted into middle relief. And he’s not a stranger to Boston, having pitched with the club in 2017.
In that season, he pitched in 29 games for the Red Sox, tossing 27 innings and posting a 3.33 ERA.
Prior to his arrival, Reed has been a dominant reliever for parts of three seasons with the New York Mets, never posting an ERA above three in his time there. He provided some adequate relief during his tenure with the Red Sox, though was hit hard in the ALDS that season.
Reed suffered through a rough patch in 2018 and was recently released by the Minnesota Twins a few weeks ago. He has been battling a left thumb sprain and hasn’t appeared in the majors in 2019.
Reed, plus the other three mentioned, are just a few options available to the Boston Red Sox. With Nathan Eovaldi hopefully back soon, other roster moves are entirely possible. And perhaps there is a hidden gem out there yet to be uncovered.
Of course, the bullpen could recapture their consistency from the latter half of 2018 and all of this will be forgotten. One way or the other, something needs to get better if Boston is to climb out of their third-place rut.