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Boston Red Sox Rumors: Dave Dombrowski finally recognizes bullpen need

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 22: Dave Dombrowski, President of Baseball Operations for the Boston Red Sox, looks on during team workouts ahead of the 2018 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on October 22, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 22: Dave Dombrowski, President of Baseball Operations for the Boston Red Sox, looks on during team workouts ahead of the 2018 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on October 22, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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No lead is safe with these group of Boston Red Sox relievers and now Dave Dombrowski finally sees the light at the end of the bullpen.

Perhaps the two-day London Series between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees will be looked back upon as the turning point for the defending World Series champions.

After getting out bashed by the American League East leaders by scores of 17-13 and 12-8, the Red Sox currently find themselves 11 games out and searching for answers to a season long problem that simply exploded over the pond.

As much as watching Michael Chavis showcase his power in front of British royalty, it was enough for Red Sox fans to yell “off with their heads” after the bullpen once again displayed an inability to hold any kind of lead in Sunday’s 12-8 loss.

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If it was just about losing to the powerhouse Yankees, it wouldn’t be as bad.  However, that same Yankees team may not have an 11-game lead if the Red Sox bullpen had any semblance of hope.

Let’s not completely blame it on Ryan Brasier, Brandon Workman, Matt Barnes, Marcus Walden, Josh Smith and the variety of arms Red Sox manager Alex Cora has had to work with.  Sure, they are the arms the team believes in.  However, the reality of the situation is apparent.  Those arms simply lacked the killer instinct on the mound.

At least, if they had established roles coming out of the bullpen, perhaps they can be more effective.  If they had a Craig Kimbrel type waiting to close out games, maybe they would pitch with more urgency when they enter the game.

Finally seeing the light

With an ERA of 4.37 following an outing in which Walden, Smith and Barnes gave up a combined nine runs in the series finale in London, it’s about time Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski admits he had it all wrong entering the season.

Quite frankly, Boston Red Sox should’ve spent the money to acquire a reliable arm or two instead of this fantasy that Tyler Thornburg would magically turn dominant.  Instead of relying on Ryan Braiser to become anything more than a second half of the season wonder in 2019, Dombrowski could’ve paid a few more bucks to a top quality reliever.

It’s time to stop masking the issue with this Red Sox team.  Finally, after almost 80 games, Dombrowski recognizes that.  Now, it’s his time to make the move necessary to improve the problem.  With the MLB Trade Deadline approaching, the Red Sox are “surveying the market for bullpen help,” according to a report by Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

With some good relievers believed to be available such as San Francisco Giants’ Will Smith, Pittsburgh Pirates’ Felipe Vazquez and Cleveland Indians reliever Brad Hand, there are moves Dombrowski can make now that he has seen firsthand (no pun intended) that the bullpen help is not going to come from within.  At least not this season.

Next. Boston Red Sox Op/Ed: Time to be honest about these 2019 Sox. dark

In summary, the 2018 Boston Red Sox still have a chance to successfully defend their title.  It’s time for their front office spender to provide an arm or two that could solve the team’s biggest issues, especially now that the offense is showing how potent it can be.

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