Boston Red Sox Report Cards: Brad Ziegler
By Sean Penney
The BoSox Injection staff reflects on the 2016 season by grading each member of the Boston Red Sox based on expectations for them entering the season.
The Boston Red Sox acquired Brad Ziegler from the Arizona Diamondbacks in early July to help solidify a bullpen that had been depleted by injuries.
Ziegler had been serving as the closer out in the desert for the better part of the last two seasons, racking up 30 saves in 2015 and converting 18 of 20 opportunities for the Diamondbacks this season prior to the trade. The Red Sox had already made another deal months earlier to bring in a new closer, so while he notched a few rogue saves down the stretch, Ziegler’s primary role in Boston was to help serve as the bridge to Craig Kimbrel in the ninth inning.
It’s a role Ziegler flourished in, posting a 1.52 ERA in a Red Sox uniform. The submariner has never been known as an overpowering pitcher, relying more on his unique deliver, heavy sinker and crafty changeup to keep hitters off balance. He did manage to strike out 31 hitters in 29 2/3 innings out of the Boston bullpen for a 9.40 K/9 rate that blows away his previous career high, but this was likely the result of a small sample size.
Ziegler’s game plan typically is to try to induce weak contact low in the zone, which is why he always ranks among the league leaders in ground ball rate. He also rarely gives up home runs, surrendering only two all season.
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Inviting contact can also make him prone to giving up base hits, which combined with his penchant for allowing walks means he is often dealing with runners on base. His ground ball approach sets up a lot of double-plays to help mitigate that issue and he has shown an ability to buckle down with runners on. Overall this season he allowed opposing hitters to hit only .221 against him with at least one runner on base, which dropped to .200 with runners in scoring position.
Arguably the most memorable outing from Ziegler’s brief stint in Boston came against his former team when the Diamondbacks came to town in mid-August. Ziegler took over in the top of the eighth after Matt Barnes walked three straight with nobody out, striking out the side to help preserve a 6-3 Red Sox victory.
The Red Sox put an emphasis on revamping the bullpen this season, but when injuries wiped away the depth in their stable of relievers they turned to Ziegler to provide reinforcements. The former closer adapted quickly to his new role, providing his new team with a boost down the stretch.
Grade: B+
Next: Diamondbacks hire Lovullo as manager
What’s Next?
Ziegler will enter free agency, which likely will lead him away from Boston. While the Red Sox would be interested in retaining him, the 37-year old will certainly want to explore options where the closer role may be available. He should be able to leverage his success down the stretch into one last big payday from a team that needs a reliever that has proven capable of locking down the ninth.
If he departs it will leave a gaping hole in the Red Sox bullpen. Expect relief pitching to be a significant emphasis in the team’s offseason plan. While the closer role is set, Boston could use multiple reliable arms to bridge the gap between the starters and Kimbrel. If they struggle to find top-notch options on the free agent or trade markets then they may want to consider offering Ziegler “closer money” to stay.