Photo credit: Kelly O’Connor
The Red Sox bullpen isn’t yet a finished product, but it does feature its fair share of shoe-in’s as the 2015 season draws near. After re-upping on a two year, $18 million deal Koji Uehara seems poised to anchor Boston’s pen for the third straight year. Last season, the 39-year old posted a respectable 2.52 ERA in over 60 innings pitched, but endured a late season rough patch which saw the right-hander surrender 10 runs over 6 appearances. Joining Uehara, fellow countryman Junichi Tazawa will remain in the fold, after posting a 2.96 FIP in 71 appearances last season. Right-hander Edward Mujica will enter the second and final season of his deal with the Red Sox. The 30-year old’s initiation into Red Sox nation was rough in his first season in Boston, as the veteran reliever posted an ERA over 5.oo in the first half of last year. However, Mujica managed to find himself following the All Star break, posting a 1.78 ERA to round out the 2014 campaign. Newcomer Anthony Varvaro figures to fit the middle innings role in the Red Sox pen next season. Acquired from the Atlanta Braves in mid-December, the right-hander has enjoyed back-to-back seasons of solid relief work; posting an ERA of 2.74 over the last two seasons. Additionally, Varvaro possesses the ability to produce ground balls, and has watched his GB% climb from 41.9% to 49.7% over the last three seasons. Boston’s lone left-hander Craig Breslow will look to bounce back from an over all disappointing 2014 season, as the southpaw elected to stay in Boston by signing a 1 year, $2 million contract. While the former Yale grads numbers skyrocketed across the board last year, it’s important to remember that Breslow is the same pitcher that held a sub-2.00 ERA in 2014, and was able to retire both left-handers and righties.
While Ben Cherington has expressed his desire to add a reliever externally, at least one of the final two bullpen spots figures to be resolved from within. Boston currently has a plethora of minor league options to choose from, featuring both right-handers and lefties. Brandon Workman, who had a rough time as a starter last season, is a candidate to fill the long relief role. Former first round pick Matt Barnes could vouch for the same position, after the right-hander enjoyed a short but encouraging first go around last season. Southpaw Tommy Layne figures to be under consideration as well, after a solid season in both the minors and in Boston.
- Despite what you may have read, the Red Sox aren’t serious suitors for the services of Max Scherzer. While many baseball scribes have linked the Red Sox to the 30-year old ace, Boston’s moves this offseason don’t seem like a precursor to allocating a big deal to a starter. The team neglected to go past 6 years , $135 to resign Lester, a pitcher they drafted and developed into an ace. (Max Scherzer isn’t signing with the Red Sox)
- While the Red Sox offseason is just about finished, the team still has a few questions left to answer before the season starts. The team neglected to add a prototypical “ace” this winter, leading some to wonder who will take the ball on Opening Day. Elsewhere, Boston still fields a plethora of outfielders, even after the trade of Yoenis Cespedes. (Boston Red Sox offseason questions that still need to be answered)
- For Red Sox fans, the 2014 season was not a moment in Boston sports to remember. The team followed up their World Series winning campaign by finishing in dead last place in the American League East, scoring barely 4 runs a game. Still, there were some story lines that kept fan’s attention through out the season, from the emergence of Grady Sizemore and Brock Holt to free departure of fan favorite Jon Lester. (2014 year in review: Top 10 Boston Red Sox stories from a bizarre season)
- We know that Ben Cherington wants to add another arm externally to the Sox pen, but what’s still available to the third year GM on the open market? While there’s no reliever that will jump off the page at you, there are plenty of interesting arms to take a flier on. Left-hander’s Neal Cotts and Joe Thatcher, who both endured rough 2014 campaigns in Texas and Anaheim respectively, possess solid track records and could be had for a cheap commitment. (Bullpen round up: Two spots up for grabs)
- Tweet of the day: Ah, the good ol’ days are coming back
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