Boston Red Sox: Biggest disappointments of 2016 season
By Sean Penney
Junichi Tazawa
Another pitcher expected to be a key cog in the bullpen, Junichi Tazawa was a disappointment based on his production rather than anything injury related.
While Taz did spend a stint on the disabled list with a shoulder injury in July, it was his dismal production following his return that caused him to fall out of favor. The 30-year old was abused for 10 runs over a six game span in August, finishing with a brutal 9.64 ERA for the month.
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He would finish the season with a 4.17 ERA that is only slightly higher than a year ago, but still a far cry from the excellent seasons he produced over the three previous years. His 9.79 K/9 was the highest strikeout rate he’s produced since becoming a mainstay in the bullpen in 2012, but he also walked batters at a higher rate than at any point over that span and coughed up a career-high nine home runs.
While Taz did settle in to toss five shutout innings in September, it wasn’t enough to gain the manager’s trust again. Tazawa was left off the postseason roster and now enters free agency with all signs pointing out of town.
Tazawa was a vital part of the Red Sox bullpen for years, but a heavy workload was at least partially to blame for his demise. Farrell overworked him at a time when the team lacked reliable late-inning arms and the strain has caught up to him. Can he return to form with a bounce-back season? Possibly, but it’s unlikely to happen in Boston.