The Red Sox’s projected bullpen follows many trade deadline additions, which are…
Craig Breslow’s first list of trade deadline priorities did not include bullpen reinforcements. The Boston Red Sox‘s chief baseball officer was compelled to reassess his team’s requirements following their post-All-Star break skid.
After acquiring left-handed pitcher James Paxton, Boston was first interested in adding a right-handed hitter, but a larger trade than the trade for former Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen never happened. Two seasoned relievers that the Sox added will be mainstays in their late-season staff.
Righties with years of experience and ERAs that are heading upward are former Red Lucas Sims and Angel Luis GarcÃa. Although Sims made a tearful interview upon leaving his team after seven seasons, both pitchers should easily integrate with the rest of Boston’s bullpen; GarcÃa has even previously collaborated with Andrew Bailey.
Aside from the two new players on the squad, the Red Sox’s bullpen is a bit in flux. For most of the season, the team has moved players between Triple-A and the major leagues. Josh Winckowski has been in the majors for a few weeks, while Greg Weissert was recently optioned to the minors to regain his command.
Recently, Boston’s pen has also been dealing with some ailments. Although the team has not deemed either of Chris Martin’s or Justin Slaten’s elbow inflammation problems to be serious, they are both listed as injured. At the conclusion of the week, Martin is scheduled to throw a bullpen and may be assigned to a rehab assignment. Slaten may not be back in action for the Sox for some time because he is still only playing catch.
Recently, the Red Sox received good news on Liam Hendriks, who hasn’t pitched this season due to recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Projecting the Red Sox’s new bullpen following many trade deadline purchases
Taking that into consideration, this is our projection for the Red Sox bullpen for the remainder of the season.
Luis GarcÃa, RHP
Lucas Sims, RHP
Jansen, Kenley, RHP (C)
Zack Kelly, RHP
LHP Brennan Bernardino
Criswell Cooper (RHP)
Cam Booser (LHP)
RHP Josh Winckowski
Chris Martin* (RHP)
RHP Justin Slaten*
RHP’s Liam Hendriks
The star players will earn their spots back in the “pen” if they return from their current injuries. Barring any serious problems with their rehabilitation, Martin and Slaten have been among the Red Sox’s most dependable setup guys. That probably won’t change.
The pitchers who are most likely to be optioned are Zack Kelly, Cam Booser, Cooper Criswell, and Winckowski if Hendriks, Martin, and Slaten return this season. Booser is one of the Sox’s few lefties, but despite his current slump, Brennan Bernardino has more experience and was one of their most dependable relievers in the first half.
Kelly had been lights out coming out of the bullpen a few weeks ago, but he’s had a rough time of it lately and isn’t as seasoned as some of the Red Sox’s other alternatives. When it comes time, the selection between Winckowski and Criswell might depend on how they’re both playing, but Criswell’s experience in the starting rotation might help him make it to the major leagues.
As the Red Sox push toward the end of the season, they have an abundance of strong bullpen depth. Hopefully, their trade deadline additions mesh well and provide the team the boost they need to withstand any more opponents’ late-inning comebacks.
