The Red Sox announced they’ve acquired Brad Peacock from the Indians for cash considerations. Peacock is eligible to be traded even after the July 30 deadline because he hasn’t been on a 40-man roster this season and had joined Cleveland on a minor league deal.
Peacock landed with Cleveland a little more than two months ago. He has since made eleven appearances (ten starts) with their top affiliate in Columbus, where he’s worked to a 7.68 ERA over 34 innings. That’s obviously an unsightly run prevention number, but Peacock’s peripherals are quite a bit better. The 33-year-old has essentially league average marks in strikeout rate (23.8%) and walk percentage (8.8%). His 34.3% ground-ball rate is rather low — contributing to some home run troubles — but he’s also been plagued by an abnormally high .340 opponents’ batting average on balls in play and should strand runners at a better clip than his current 56.5% mark moving forward.
While Peacock hasn’t made it onto a big league roster yet this season, he has plenty of experience under his belt at the highest level. The right-hander broke into the majors with the Nationals in 2011 and saw action with the Astros every season from 2013-20. Peacock was generally productive in a swing role in Houston, where his tenure partially overlapped with Red Sox manager Alex Cora’s stint as the Astros’ bench coach. Between 2017-19, Peacock worked to a 3.46 ERA/3.59 FIP across 288 2/3 frames split between the rotation and the bullpen. He only made three relief appearances in 2020 before suffering a shoulder injury that ultimately required arthroscopic surgery — keeping him out of action until he landed with the Indians in late June.
Because Peacock wasn’t on Cleveland’s 40-man roster, he’ll head to Triple-A Worcester and won’t require an immediate roster spot with the Red Sox. He can remain on hand as high minors depth for either the rotation or long relief over the season’s final few weeks. Players acquired prior to September 1 are eligible for a team’s postseason roster, so Peacock could be a playoff option for Boston if he earns a big league promotion and if the team qualifies. The Red Sox enter play tonight holding a two and a half game advantage over the A’s for the American League’s final playoff spot.
Adding a pitcher capable of working multiple innings of relief took on some added importance for the Red Sox this afternoon. Martín Pérez has tested positive for COVID-19, the team informed reporters (including Rob Bradford of WEEI). That’ll keep the veteran southpaw out of action for at least the next week-plus. Pérez has allowed nine runs (five earned) in seven innings since being moved to the bullpen earlier this month.
Dude had nasty stuff there for a while with Houston.. I thought he was going to be a sneaky good starter a few years ago, but I think elbow problems derailed him.
He was one of my favorite fantasy players back then. He’d supply at least league-average stats, and would cost me my final draft pick.
Not a bad gamble to see if he has anything left. If they call up an extra pitcher in September, I hope it’s Connor Seabold though. He is finally healthy and has been pitching great for the last 6+ weeks in AAA. He could definitely help the big league club as a fill in starter, piggy back starter or even out of the bullpen. Brasier should be coming back soon as well.
Bloom has to be kicking himself for not re-signing Colin McHugh after his lost 2020 Boston season. He has been lights out for Tampa this year. Bloom might be looking at Peacock as his chance to redeem himself for McHugh. Both were great for Houston once upon a time.
In know it is only AAA, but his adjusted August stats look at least as good as what Perez and Robles are giving us. There is no point cutting anyone at 8/30, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Peacock started to take innings from them.
Just checked Seabold. In his last 5 outings, he has a 35/4 K/W. September can’t come soon enough for our BP.
that should put the sox over the top! thanks Chaim
No prob buddy !
He’s not your buddy, guy!
He’s not your guy, friend!
TYFYS Chaim
A good promo with NBCsports Boston.
No harm in letting Peacock strut his stuff.
I wonder if he has multi color underwear?
(Asking for a friend)
gotta let him fly on this one
Is he eligible for postseason?
*sigh*
@padre. Yes he is eligible for the postseason. It’s in the post. I like this move. Not really a Red Sox fan but they have won a lot of championships over the last 20 years.
If he was joining a team that will definitively make the post season, yes.
Reading is fundamental l
Only if he’s traded!!!!
If only peripherals won baseball games.
Peripherals are pushed by agents to help their clients.
“Yes he has a career 7.86 ERA over 5 seasons, but that means nothing. His xFIP is very good, that’s all that matters!”
$1.98?
The bullpen for boston has not been the problem, its been the subpar patchwork of the starting rotation, even with sale we have a horrendous starting 5, ask yourself, what team in the middle of august takes TWO starting pitchers and put them in the bullpen, NOT for the playoff push, but because they are awful, And perez has been even worse where he is, hopefully they make Whitlock the full time closer, do something with barnes, keep richards where he is, DFA perez and salvage what you can. Funny, 2 months ago they are in first place.. now they are barely hanging on to the 2nd wildcard spot, which as i type this, is also on trouble cause Oakland is playing very well, and so is Seattle, and yes, Brasier is coming back, could be as soon as these next 4 games in Tampa, kinda honestly forgot about how good he is, he hasnt pitched yet this season
Whitlock flat out isn’t going to be added to the rotation this season for several reasons. 1 being he’s already around the 70IP mark and coming back from TJ. 2, he’s not stretched out to throw 70+ pitches per appearance and not enough time to send him to AAA and get him ready to do that. Next year? maybe in ST the Sox will decide to do the switch, but it ain’t happening this year, unless they only plan on him being some kind of 2-4 inning opener and limited to around 50p tops
I mean oakland is 4-6 in their last 10 so i wouldnt say that’s playing well.
oh, and now perez has covid
He will be on the IL in two weeks
Peacock and Sale and pray for hail….said no one ever.
This is GM Bloom trying hard to make up for the failed trade deadline.
Any time you can get a guy with a lifetime ERA under 4, it’s a solid move. Yup.
Then I say snap up Orel Hershiser!
idk how the sox keep acquiring these guys (Robles, Davis) expecting them to help out. the results weren’t there before and after the acquisitions
The radio guys kept commenting on how small the crowd was tonight. That’s because ownership gave up on the team at the trade deadline, so Sox Nation gave up too. As further proof, it’s been noted that John Henry has been basically invisible this season. Very different from prior seasons when you saw him attending games. I guess he’s too busy with Liverpool.
REALLY ??
I had heard that Peacock was going to the BIRDS !!
7.00 ERA !!! Wow ! Another Bullseye for Bloom!! Bet he wishes he could go back in time to the Trade Deadline and actually pick up someone who can help instead of Dumpster Diving! We can put him with Davis and Robles.
Can we get rid of Pivetta too snd either send him down to Worcester or DFA. He is nothing but an albatross on the bullpen. He can barely get through 5 innings. Why am I bothering to get upset, this team isn’t going anywhere and Bloom picked up garbage relievers at the trade deadline. I bet he wishes he could do it differently now.
Bloom’s great pickup made it through 2 innings giving up 5 runs. Another Bullseye Bloom. This team is dead on arrival and you can look back at the lack of action at the trade deadline as the cause of it. Thanks Bloom!!!!