Free Agent Friday: Red Sox relief pitching options

Jun 22, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Jesse Crain (26) delivers a pitch in the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Chicago won the game 3-2. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

#3 Relief Pitcher: Jesse Crain

Jesse Crain did not have the season that Miller, Neshek, or Duke had. In fact, Crain didn’t throw a pitch in the Majors this season which is exactly why I’m interested in him. Pitchers who miss an entire year before entering free agency come at a bargain price, but as we saw from Eric O’Flaherty of the A’s this year, don’t necessarily lose a step when they return. Crain has a 3.05 career ERA, and had lowered his ERA for five consecutive years before losing this season after signing a 1 year/$3.25 million deal with Houston.

Crain should be back in action in 2015 and at just 33 years old, I see no reason why the right hander won’t pick up exactly where he left off with the White Sox in 2013. His health is an issue to be sure, but it is also a benefit, as the Red Sox may be able to get him for even cheaper than the $3.25 million the Astros got him for. Crane is still not quite as talented as the next two names on this list, but he is talented nonetheless… perhaps enough to close.