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Boston Red Sox DFA’ing Matt Barnes over other relievers is laughable

By Alan Nahigian

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 5: Matt Barnes #32 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after the final out of the ninth inning of a game against the Tampa Bays Rays on October 5, 2022 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 5: Matt Barnes #32 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after the final out of the ninth inning of a game against the Tampa Bays Rays on October 5, 2022 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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The Boston Red Sox have made a number of moves this off-season. Some have been really good, like the long-term extension of Rafael Devers and upgrading the bullpen with guys like Chris Martin and Kenley Jansen. Others have been really bad, like letting Xander Bogaerts go and other guys like J.D. Martinez and Nathan Eovaldi also leave town.

Then there’s just confusing moves that they’ve made and they made another one Tuesday. The Red Sox DFA’d longtime relief pitcher Matt Barnes. This move came after the officially signing of outfielder Adam Duvall.

The Connecticut native spent his entire nine year MLB career with the Red Sox. After signing an extension in 2021, Barnes had a 4.31 ERA in his final Red Sox season during 2022.

The Boston Red Sox still have to pay Matt Barnes in 2023

This is the part that really confuses me and probably a whole lot of other Red Sox fans as well.

Chaim Bloom apparently had a hard time having that conversation with Matt Barnes. Yet the Red Sox are on the books to pay him $7.5 million for the upcoming season. So why get rid of him all together?

This was a guy that had a pretty dominant first half of 2021. Then the second half was a disaster for the hard throwing right-handed pitcher. 2022 wasn’t a great year for Barnes either, but it started to look like he was picking it back up a bit toward the end of the season.

So apparently, Bloom and Red Sox ownership don’t believe enough in Barnes to keep him around. But if you have to pay him anyway, shouldn’t you see if he has anything left in the tank?

Boston Red Sox DFA’d Matt Barnes…instead of Ryan Brasier

The fact that Matt Barnes got DFA’d before Ryan Brasier is straight up laughable.

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I’m seriously convinced that Ryan Brasier must have some dirt on ownership that keeps him around. If that doesn’t get you fired up, then I want you to sit down before reading this next sentence.

Ryan Brasier is one of the three remaining members of the 2018 World Series team still on the Red Sox. The other two? Rafael Devers and Chris Sale.

Why is Brasier still on this Red Sox team? He struggles with his command. When he does have command, he gets hit hard by opposing teams. There is no use in this bullpen for him. other than in a blowout.

The bottom line with Matt Barnes being DFA’d by the Boston Red Sox

It’s truly a head scratcher with this one.

Next. Sox leaders shouldn't be surprised by boos. dark

I guess the Red Sox want to get younger. But then again, they signed two bullpen arms over the age of 35?

So again, what is the direction with this move? I get the point was to make room for the Adam Duvall signing. But it seems like Barnes didn’t have to be the guy to leave town.

So thanks for the memories Matty Backpacks. One of the best nicknames in town and an electrifying fastball too. Not to mention having one of the best wipeout curveballs when it was at its best!

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