The Boston Red Sox are right in the thick of the AL East and Wild Card races as we inch closer to the second half of the MLB regular season schedule, and decisions need to be made regarding the team's plan of attack ahead of the league's July 31 trade deadline.
One of the most important areas of the roster once the postseason rolls around is the pitching staff, namely the bullpen. While starters are expected to bring their best effort when the stakes are raised, the instances in which the bullpen is called upon to take care of business are only amplified in the playoffs.
While there will be plenty of discussion concerning possible trade proposals in the coming weeks, there is a player the Red Sox front office is quite familiar with from his time in the AL East who is looking to make a comeback and could be signed as a free agent if the fit is right.
At the very least, Boston should kick the tires on this veteran, even if it is just a matter of doing their due diligence.
Red Sox Must Kick Tires on Former All-Star Hurler David Robertson
According to Will Sammon of The Athletic, veteran free agent reliever David Robertson is looking to sign with a team during the second half, already receiving interest from multiple teams, including the New York Mets and New York Yankees. Per Sammon, several teams are expected to attend throwing sessions held by Robertson over the next week.
While he was not on a roster coming out of spring training, Robertson was a member of the Texas Rangers and appeared in 68 games, owning a 3-4 record with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.111. His 99 strikeouts to 27 walks are as impressive a ratio as you could ask for out of any veteran free agent at this stage of the season, let alone a 40-year-old with a track record like Robertson's.
Boston is set at the closer position with Aroldis Chapman in the fold. However, it never hurts to have added insurance in the bullpen during the stretch run of the regular season and into the playoffs, especially given the high number of one-run losses the team has already endured this year.
If the Red Sox are serious about making any run at the division in the second half, these are the kind of moves they need to consider.