Red Sox news & rumors: Chris Sale a step closer; Kimbrel a natural fit
The news is great for Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale and his timeline to return to the mound in 2021.
After pitching a two-inning stimulated game in Fort Myers this past Tuesday, Sale is scheduled to go again on Monday. If all is good, the lanky, hard-throwing pitcher could pitch a game for an affiliate minor-league team sometime next week.
Eager to get back on the mound for the Red Sox following his Tommy John surgery, Sale is obviously “excited” says Alex Cora. But, the manager as well as the team is still moving forward with caution with the ace to make sure he’s not being rushed back before he’s physically ready.
"“Everything went well,” Cora said, as transcribed by MassLive.com. “The next one will be Saturday. It’s one more stimulated game. This is probably the last one before a rehab start. Obviously, it all depends on how he feels on Sunday, but it feels that way. He’s excited. He felt great today. Just stay the course.”More from Red Sox RumorsBoston Red Sox Rumors: 3 starting pitchers to target via tradeMLB Rumors: Red Sox acquire a couple of pitchers for bullpen depthBoston Red Sox Rumors: Shane Bieber an arm Chaim Bloom must targetRed Sox Buzz: Alex Verdugo’s contract year of extended valueRed Sox Rumors: Any shot at Shohei Ohtani means winning in 2023"
While Chris Sale is not expected to come back as a dominant pitcher this season, his availability would still be a dramatic boost for the pitching staff, adding depth at the backend of the rotation and perhaps offering some bullpen help.
During the 2018 World Series, Sale pitched the final inning as the Red Sox went on to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers. Since then, there has also been talk about Sale potentially transforming into a closer.
The key for now is preventing any setbacks in his road back to a Major League mound.
MLB Trade talk: Red Sox out of Craig Kimbrel sweepstakes?
While Matt Barnes is having an All-Star season as the Boston Red Sox closer, could the team look to bring back a former closer as his setup man?
In such a scenario, Chicago Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel
would be a natural fit, but according to ESPN’s Buster Olney, two other playoff contenders have more of a shot of plying Kimbrel away from the Cubs. Those two teams are the Houston Astros and Oakland Athletics.
Mentioned to a high-ranking MLB exec that the Red Sox might be a natural landing spot for Craig Kimbrel. He pushed back, and speculated that Kimbrel's destination will come down to either the Astros or the Athletics. Kimbrel will be the most coveted player in the trade market.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 6, 2021
After helping the Red Sox win the World Series in 2018, Kimbrel has mostly struggled during his stint with Chicago, until this season.
Looking like his old self, the 33-year-old reliever has a minuscule 0.59 ERA over 30 2/3 innings pitched in making his eight All-Star team. Should the Red Sox be counted out in bring Kimbrel back to Boston?
The need is not great if they believe in Adam Ottavino to fill that role, but the Sox should never be counted out, especially if it means keeping Kimbrel from the Astros as they are a team who would stand in the Red Sox way in their World Series pursuit.
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If Red Sox chief officer Chaim Bloom does make such a move, Kimbrel would likely be a rental for the rest of the season or perhaps serve as a little insurance if the team were to lose Barnes to free agency in the offseason.
Acquiring Kimbrel would come with two options as it comes with his contract. He can be retained for 2022 for $16 million or brought out for $1 million. Not an overly expensive move if Bloom wants to sure up the backend of the Red Sox bullpen.