Aug 31, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher Roman Mendez (55) pitches during the seventh inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Two From The Bullpen
Waiver wire desperation was clear for bullpen help in 2015 and Roman Mendez was one choice from Texas.
At Texas (0-1, 5.40) Mendez appeared in 12 games before being offered in the transaction wire and for Boston it was just three games and two innings. A real long shot for even a putrid bullpen, but as Dave Dombrowski rebuilds expect Mendez to be gone.
Jonathan Aro is a 25-year-old right-hander who surfaced for six games (0-1, 6.97) and 10.1 innings for the 2015 Red Sox. Aro features a low 90s fastball and a decent changeup. Aro had a rapid rise in the system in 2015 and I would normally expect his promise to be rewarded, but the bullpen is a target area.
Aro split duty between Pawtucket and Portland in 2015 (3-3, 3.04) with a BB/9 of 2.2, so Aro can throw strikes. Expect Aro to be vulnerable.
Next: Red Sox and MLB to address Fenway Park safety
Aro certainly has promise as a reliever, but promise is not what will provide what is necessary for the Red Sox team in 2016. With Craig Kimbrel and other options, surfacing expect Aro to go.