The Boston Red Sox have been struggling to gain traction so far this season, and there are many players underperforming as the reason. Brayan Bello has been one of these major liabilities on the roster, and he needs to be traded.
Brayan Bello has been atrocious this season
To start the season, Bello had posted a 9.12 ERA while giving up 26 earned runs over 25 2/3 innings. In fact, his 26 earned runs were higher than his strikeouts, which were only 17. He had also given up 43 hits in that time. As a result, the Red Sox went the Nick Pivetta route and decided to have an opener for him. Tyler Samaniego and Jovani Moran were slated as the openers for his next appearances.
Bello did well, posting a 1.35 ERA while striking out 12 batters in 13 1/3 innings pitched, looking like his old self again. Interim manager Chad Tracy had him start against the Atlanta Braves, but he still couldn't find form as a starter, giving up seven runs in just 5 full innings. Right away, Bello was given openers once again for his future starts. Just like before, he excelled, pitching scoreless ball in 12 full innings while striking out 10 batters.
Then came the madness.
Tracy decided to start the Dominican Republic native once again against the Baltimore Orioles, this time with no restrictions. He was either convinced or coerced that Bello could still be a capable starter. He did say that he "worked really hard" over the last couple of weeks on his arm slot when facing left-handed hitters, along with saying that both he and Bello believe that he should be a starter.
"Brayan Bello believes he’s a starter. And we do, too, so. And we’ve seen him do it. This whole thing about, ‘Oh, he pitches better with an opener.’ That’s not the case last year. The guy’s taken down 100 starts in his career or more. So I think starting pitchers want to start," Tracy said.
Then came the actual game.
Boston rightfully sent Brayan Bello to the minors after his last start
He gave up eight earned runs, six in the first inning. While he didn't give up the other two runs until the fifth inning, that was it for him afterwards. Right after the game, Bello was asked about potentially going into the bullpen, where he said this:
"First of all, just stop talking about bullpen and starting games," Bello said via his translator. "I've always been a starter and when I've been successful as a starter, no one has questioned whether I have to be in the bullpen or starting games. So, starting from there, just stop that talk, I'm just having a bad season."
Karma would seemingly do justice as he was demoted to Triple-A Worcester just four hours later, all the while acquiring a minor league left-hander, Joe La Sorsa, from the Pittsburgh Pirates. A corresponding move will be taking place soon, with possibly Jake Bennett becoming the last starter in the rotation.
As for Bello, he'll be buried in the minors given the amount of rising prospects that are outshining him, such as Bennett, Payton Tolle, Connelly Early, Samaniego, and Tyler Uberstine. This will most likely be the last time we'll be seeing him in a Red Sox uniform, and he'll probably be part of a package in a big trade for a right-handed bat... if anyone wants him.
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