Who could the Red Sox target for bullpen help?
With the trade deadline six days away, there are still plenty of options for the Red Sox to bolster their bullpen.
Now that the Yankees beat the Red Sox to the punch in both teams’ quest to acquire reliever Zach Britton from the Baltimore Orioles, where will president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski turn to now?
With the trade deadline six days away, there are still plenty of options for the Red Sox to bolster their bullpen. Here are some relievers the Red Sox could target.
Jake Diekman
The Texas Rangers lefty has appeared in 44 games this season, striking out 42 batters in 36 innings. Diekman, 31, would be considered a rental as he will become an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Zach Duke
The lefty has appeared in 44 games for the Minnesota Twins, allowing 43 hits and striking out 37 in 36 innings. He has limited lefthanders to a .241 batting average, striking out 15 while walking just three. He would seem to come at a low cost given that he is 35 years old and a free agent at the end of the season.
Fernando Rodney
Red Sox fans might remember him best from his days with the Tampa Bay Rays, when he recorded 85 saves in 2012-13. Now with the Twins, he still serves as a closer and has recorded 21 saves in 38 appearances. The righthander has struck out 40 batters in 35⅔ innings. The Twins have a $4.25 million option for for 2019 for Rodney, 41.
Kirby Yates
Originally drafted by the Red Sox in 2006, Yates did not sign with the club and instead went to college, where he missed two seasons after having Tommy John surgery. The righthander found success with the San Diego Padres, where he has pitched 38⅔ innings in 40 appearances this season. He has recorded 50 strikeouts while giving up just 11 walks and 22 hits. Yates, 31, is arbitration eligible each of the next two seasons and won’t become a free agent until 2021.
Craig Stammen
Also succeeding with the Padres, Stammen has a 2.76 ERA in 44 appearances this year, striking out 55 while walking just 10. The righthander is 34 and is signed through next season.
Kyle Barraclough
The righty has a 2.45 ERA while appearing in 46 games for the Miami Marlins. He has 50 strikeouts and 24 walks in 44 innings, and has recorded a career-high 10 saves.
