The Boston Red Sox pitching staff has been one of the best in baseball with a 3.73 ERA, which is No. 4 in Major League Baseball, only behind the San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, and Texas Rangers. Unfortunately, it hasn't all been good, and one of Boston's arms has been a problem for months now.
After allowing an earned run and being credited with the loss in Tuesday's 2-1 defeat to the Athletics, Red Sox reliever Greg Weissert just publicly admitted what fans have already known.
"We lose that game because I can't do my job," Weissert said, via @BOSSportsGordo. "Early pitches an unbelievable game, and I go in there and do that bullshit. It sucks."
Understandably, Weissert is frustrated. But does that mean he's wrong? Absolutely not.
Greg Weissert Is a Problem the Red Sox Must Solve
It's rare to hear that level of honesty from a reliever, but it reflects the frustration that has been brewing inside the clubhouse as a whole. Boston has been clinging to their playoff hopes for dear life, and Weissert's inability to protect leads has directly cost the team valuable wins in a tight AL Wild Card race.
That's without mentioning how the 30-year-old righty is tied for blowing an MLB-worst nine saves in 12 attempts this season.
Acquired from the New York Yankees before the 2023 season, Weissert had been seen as a bullpen weapon with a deceptive delivery and a huge strikeout upside. These were hopeful words that once pounced upon our minds when they got him. But inconsistency has defined his tenure in Boston, where he looks like he should be sitting next to Aroldis Chapman and Garrett Whitlock on some nights, but then there are nights where he implodes and everyone hates him for weeks.
Do you know who he reminds me of? Ryan Brasier. Remember when manager Alex Cora used him endlessly, regardless of what people thought, and he would constantly blow leads? It's happening again.
This year has reached the breaking point. They need to act fast and replace Weissert for the greater good. Zack Kelly has been good in the bullpen, striking out eight batters, but he already has a blown save in his five appearances. Justin Slaten had come back from injury in late August, but he's proceeded to blow the roof off the place, and not in a good way. His ERA at 9.95 would like to attest to that. It's time to look from within again.
It's worked with Connelly Early, Payton Tolle, and Kyle Harrison, so obviously, there's something within that Worcester pitching staff that's been developing pitchers well.
Shane Drohan is more deserving of a call-up, posting an ERA of just 2.25 and having struck out 60 batters in his 44.0 innings pitched. He's been electric since his return from injury, and the 26-year-old could turn some heads in Boston with his talent.
If the Red Sox are serious about making a push for the playoffs and don't want to slip any further, it's time to do some damage control. They can't continue to hand Weissert the ball in pivotal situations. Cora won't stop putting him out there, so move Weissert out from under him. Demote him to Triple-A, call up Drohan, and go from there.
Baseball is a ruthless business, and loyalty can't outweigh results when the season hangs in the balance. The time has come for the Red Sox to find someone new to trust in the late innings. If it's not Drohan, they have many possibilities like Nick Burdi, Chris Murphy (again), or Luis Guerrero, who's on rehab with Worcester right now. Any arm will do.