As they look to improve a roster that has performed at a high level this year, the Red Sox are interested in adding impact in their late-inning relief mix, according to a report from Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com. We heard yesterday that the team has interest in Orioles southpaw Zach Britton (see here and here), but he’s certainly not the only potential target.
At the moment, it is not clear if the Boston organization has any particular pitcher in mind. Crasnick indicates that the team is “blanketing the relief market,” so it appears that there are still quite a few possibilities.
It’s not surprising, of course, to learn that a clear contender wants to improve its bullpen. That’s almost a given in this day and age, when the ability to deploy a variety of quality relief arms in optimal fashion can make all the difference in high-leverage situations in critical games.
The key takeaway, though, is that the Sox aren’t just looking to add another solid set-up option. Rather, the report indicates that the organization wishes to obtain a high-end, difference-making arm. Notably, Crasnick suggests that the pending free agency of elite closer Craig Kimbrel is a factor, perhaps indicating that the Red Sox will be particularly interested in a controllable player.
The Red Sox did just welcome Tyler Thornburg into the fold after a lengthy rehab process. He has worked in the 93 to 94 mph range in his first two outings, below but also in sight of his most recent levels. But the club really can’t know quite what to expect yet from him.
One interesting element to consider here is the fact that the Red Sox depth chart exhibits an obvious weakness from the left side. The just-recalled Jalen Beeks is currently the only southpaw in the pen, though perhaps Drew Pomeranz could ultimately be utilized in relief once he’s back to health.
Clearly, a power lefty would make particular sense, which helps explain the look at Britton. And there are other premium late-inning southpaws that could be available — though none at a low price. Brad Hand of the Padres and Felipe Vazquez of the Pirates are perhaps intriguing speculative targets, but they will require a massive haul to pry loose given that both recently inked high-value extensions.
There ought to be other potential hurlers to consider on the left side, of course. Zach Duke of the Twins has been excellent and is an affordable rental player. The Marlins’ Adam Conley is showing that his stuff can play up from the pen. Despite a thin track record of late, he comes with cheap control, meaning the ask will likely be fairly high. Other possible options include Jake Diekman (Rangers), Jerry Blevins (Mets), Aaron Loup (Blue Jays), and Luis Avilan (White Sox).
It seems, though, that the need for a southpaw will not necessarily drive the team’s approach when it comes to installing a high-end arm. Per Crasnick, the Red Sox have taken a scouting look at Kyle Barraclough of the Marlins and even “checked in” to see if the Rockies might be interested in parting with veterans Wade Davis or Adam Ottavino. (Crasnick added mention of Ottavino in a follow-up tweet.) All of those hurlers throw from the right side, of course. And they are in quite different contract situations, with Barraclough on the cusp of arbitration eligibility, Ottavino set to hit the open market, and Davis still in the first season of his three-year, $52MM contract.
Davis, in particular, appears to be rather an unlikely player to move, as Crasnick notes. But the fact that the team has even considered that pursuit seems telling. There really aren’t all that many excellent late-inning rental relievers likely to be made available — Jeurys Familia is probably the best among them — but there are quite a few quality pitchers with lengthy control rights that could perhaps be had. Raisel Iglesias of the Reds, Kirby Yates of the Padres, Nate Jones of the White Sox, and Keone Kela of the Rangers are all pitchers that could at least conceivably interest the Red Sox. All are in the same essential situation as that of Barraclough, though: with multiple seasons of affordable control remaining, their teams don’t have to make a move.
As things stand, then, the possibilities still seem rather open-ended. That only makes it all the more interesting to see how talks shape up over the next twenty days.
Maybe they can write a check and buy a reliever
Whaaa… FSG only owns half the sports world, where are they gonna find the money for that??
Britton looks very very good right now but can walk at the end of the year.
are you refering to his 1..4 Whip or 4.5 FIP?
How many future hall of famers are left?
Swihart (HE GOT 2 HITS yesterday!!!!!!!!) for Iglasius……easily done!!!!!!!!!!
Raisel Iglesias will not be cheap. Reds are contenders in 2019
Not with the rise of the Brewers and talent of the Cubs
Reds need at least 3+ starters to compete…
Doesn’t really matter what the Reds “need to compete” based on their resurgence the FO believes that they can contend and with their entire roster being controllable expect for Harvey any players traded by the Reds will need to bring significant returns especially one including RI with his value and level of interest.
Harvey won’t much.
You must not be familiar with their current starters. Mahle, Castillo, Disco, Romano. Maybe 1 more needed.
I agree their offense is really good but they really need some of Mahle, Garrett, Finnegan, Castillo, etc to break out if they want to compete
Correct, although, I really enjoy watching the Reds line-up, and their bats can carry the majority of the load, they still need starting pitching.
Also, the Reds do have a quality farm system, but out of their top 15 prospects, there are only about 3 pitchers that project as starters.
Now, even with that being said, Cincy does have the line-up and the bullpen to keep them fairly competitive, buy until they get a couple more reliable starters they aren’t making a playoff run anytime soon.
Honestly, they have a couple of talented arms in their rotation, but even guys like Mahle and Castillo are still incredibly inconsistent. Maybe, moving forward, they move Garret into the rotation with Mahle and Castillo, but they’d still need a front line #1 pitcher, and a quality, veteran arm to eat up some innings. Number one starters are not easily acquired, but the Reds could pull off a trade in the off-season..
If they re-sign Harvey or maybe a guy like Arrieta in the off-season, move Garret to the rotation, get more continued growth from Mahle and Castillo, and FINALLY, if they can acquire a solid #1-#2 type of pitcher that’s capable of leading their rotation, THEN and only then would they be legit contenders in my mind..
I mean, maybe someone else on their team takes another step forward like DeSc..but I’m just not seeing it..Although, like I said, I really enjoy watching then play, so I certainly wish them the best in their continued rebuild…
What do u mean Arrieta? He’s under contract for another 2 years after this offseason with the phillies.
I wonder what the Sox have to give up for a significant reliever. That farm is terrible and I don’t see them selling from the major league team
Let’s see if DD puts them over that next salary threshold so they get their first round pick moved back 10 slots.
Does anything about the last couple years of trading make you think that big money teams have to give significant prospects away in trades anymore?
The Yankees do…
I am sure the Rox will trade Brian Shaw for virtually nothing.
Change back to the Al, might help.
I’ll never understand teams giving multiyear deals for decidedly non-elite relievers. The position is so volatile to begin with.
It really is too bad Dombrowski emptied the farm system. Hand is the perfect addition as he can be the 8th inning guy this year and take over as closer when Kimbrell walks as a free agent.. However there is zero chance to acquire him at this point.
If he didn’t empty the farm system they wouldn’t be where they are. Had to deal minor league taken to get talent.
Yeah, I mean, Craig Kimbrel and Chris Sale. What’s the issue?
Chris Sale…that is all.
Dealing Dave better hang onto Chavis Groome and Houck at the minimum. The farm system is already depleted since he’s traded Dubon, Allen, Margot, Basabe (both of them), Moncada, Kopech, Espinosa. Some have graduated but you get the point.
I’d be shocked if they kept all 3. They will make a move that is at least somewhat significant
You can have Margot and Espinoza back if your want…. the former is only hitting around .230 while striking out and making unusually ridiculous errors…. the latter hasn’t pitched in two seasons…. thanks Red Sox
Logan Allen will be the Gem in that deal.
I’d really like to know how the red sox are in every trade rumor for every good player.
What exactly are they trading?
They can’t put the Yankees in every story.
Yea they can.
Well at least they have prospect to trade.
Unless Boston’s giving from their major league team they are not getting realmutto, hand, or anyone good.
Maybe jerueys familia, but that’s about it.
Addition by subtraction….multiple extractions by the way…..but you are right Boogaloo!
Yes, the Red Sox won’t be able to get Hand, Realmuto, Iglesias, etc without giving up Devers. But there’s so many Yankee fans on here who think they can’t acquire anybody with Groome, Houck, and Chavis.
I’ve seen people say they can’t get Lowrie, Happ, And guys like that which is totally ridiculous.
Buddy, you keep hyping Groome as if he’s already throwing off the rubber and is throwing like his old self?
He threw 55 innings of lower than A ball with a 5.6 ERA. And as of May, the Sox reported no time frame for any returrn.
He’s quite a ways from us even knowing when he will start throwing again.
There is no guarantee that after TJ surgery that you come back as good if not better than before.
In my opinion, a team would be foolish to sink a proven major league ballplayer for “possible, hope, maybe, I wish, keep our fingers crossed,” potential of a lower than single A pitcher coming off TJ even if he was a #1 choice?
Might I add I’ve seen guys on here saying Sweihart can’t catch either…. looked good to me last night.. and a blind man knows his issues were with knuckleballers… ala Veritek
Groome would easily grab a mlb caliber player in any trade. Are you trying to tell me that Kap had no value in the Gray trade?
I know his value has diminished, and maybe I’m just misunderstanding you and others. If Groome were the headliner in a trade, he obviously couldn’t bring back a top player. But I’m sure he’d bring back pieces like Treinen, Barraclough, etc
The Yankees are in every story for the same reasons as the Dodgers, Astros, Cubs and Brewers…..because they have the farm assets to deal if necessary.
Want Sam Dyson for a PTBNL?
Craig Stammen and Kirby Yates would be fits based on performance. They would cost a little less than the top tier guys which would fit the current state of the Red Sox’s farm system. Not entirely sure if they are willing to deal will the Padres still but any deal that makes your team better should not be shunned.
They probably are willing to deal with the Padres. They got Kimbrel… we got Margot (eh..), Guerra (bust), and Allen (minor leagues… looking good though). They got pomeranz…. we got Espinoza (hasn’t pitched in two seasons). I’m sure they don’t mind getting the better of us once again…
Well you can thank that “rock star GM of yours for all those decisions that resulted in bad results for the Padres……Stop being had by the Beantown boys!
Pretty much every contender is always interested in bullpen upgrades especially with the way the game is played in the playoffs now so this makes sense
They’re doing their due diligence. While Kimbrel will require $$, he also found the family support in Boston regarding his daughter and they may work out an extension. Also, Devers is still a huge chip despite a disappointing year. Same with JBJ so they have assets if they believe a trade will improve the team. This could also be a smoke screen to increase the cost to other bidding teams.
Any team would have given Kimbrel the “family support” you mention….the Red Sox are not unique in supporting team members in times of crisis.
Also, Devers, one for one would be questionable given his defense and the probability he will have to move to first which he’s never played before.
Finally, who the Hell would get JBJ for his total game which unfortunately does also include his bat skills which are barely major league minimum.
The smoke screen is the impression that the Bosox have options to actually deal!
Boston Children’s Hospital is amongst the best anywhere and while there are other places of equal ability, I’m not sure if the medical team is still needed. From recent personal experience, you follow the doctors when necessary. Agree on Devers for now (see my past posts) but he is so young and has considerable value. JBJ is amongst the best in CF so a team will always take a flyer on his streaky but ridiculously inconsistent bat. Has there ever been a division full of solid to great CFers?
Boston can have Noe Ramirez and Jim Johnson cheap.
White Sox reliever Nate Jones has been on the disabled list (yet again) since June 13th due to a right pronator muscle strain. He began doing some long toss last week and was hopeful of pitching off of a mound soon. Jones will also require a minor league rehab assignment before being activated which likely won’t happen until after the All-Star break provided he has no further setbacks.
The Red Sox are not trading Devers they aren’t getting Hand or Iglesias they will add someone lesser but just don’t have prospect capital to get a controlled stud young reliever. I’m sure they will try and get Britton if it doesn’t cost too much otherwise another rental player but highly doubt they will get that young controllable player. The Red Sox aren’t trading Devers and by the way Devers will stick at third for the forseable future. He is getting better and better defensively range isn’t an issue just makes some mental errors but easily is athletic enough for the position.
Well said, and totally agreed!
Devers needs a Beltre type to work with him. Playing him at 3B in the playoffs scares me. While I can envision a game winning homer, I also picture a key error costing the team the pennant. His greatest value is his minimal cost right now.
Padres are like the super market for relievers.. do you want to shop the high end area where Brad Hand is? Or work your way down to Kirby Yates or Craig Stammen? They also have some young relievers with promise. Strahm is having good year, Maton, and even Cimber has pitched decently overall.
Familia and A Cabrera for ____________? I think getting Cabrera to cover them at 2b and 3b would make sense. Not sure what Mets could realistically expect in return. Maybe Mets eat the salaries to keep Boston from going to next luxury tax tier and get better prospects back.
For what it’s worth, Boston might be hoping Brandon Phillips has something left. Just read article that he’s enjoying playing with youngsters in the low minors as he works himself into playing shape. Doesn’t cost any prospects so they likely will wait until the end to see if he has anything left.