BoSox Injection
Fansided

Boston Red Sox: Who is on Santa’s naughty and nice list?

By Tyler Mason

Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (50) rounds third base to score a run in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (50) rounds third base to score a run in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next

The Naughty List:

Aug 31, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Junichi Tazawa (36) reacts after giving up two runs during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Junichi Tazawa (36) reacts after giving up two runs during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

Junichi Tazawa

In 2016, Junichi Tazawa had the worst season of his career.

During the first half of the season, Tazawa was actually very good, posting an ERA of 0.93. But like manager John Farrell had a habit of doing, he called Tazawa one too many times, which eventually brought him to the 15-day disabled list with an impingement in his right shoulder.

During the second half of the season, the coaching staff was worried about putting Tazawa into any close game because it seemed like his confidence, control, and velocity simply vanished.

Last week, Tazawa decided to part ways with Boston and sign with the Miami Marlins. Will he find his success again with another organization? Who knows. But it was sad to see a once dominant bullpen pitcher struggle simply because he was overused.

Home/Red Sox News