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Red Sox: Grading trades, free agent signings of Dave Dombrowski

By Rick McNair

Dec 6, 2016; National Harbor, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox president of baseball operation Dave Dombrowski speaks with the media after the Red Sox made a trade for pitcher Chris Sale (not pictured) at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2016; National Harbor, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox president of baseball operation Dave Dombrowski speaks with the media after the Red Sox made a trade for pitcher Chris Sale (not pictured) at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 1, 2017; Sarasota, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Tyler Thornburg (47) throws a pitch during the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2017; Sarasota, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Tyler Thornburg (47) throws a pitch during the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

CARSON SMITH AND TYLER THORNBURG

The two relief pitchers are attached, as both Carson Smith and Tyler Thornburg have done absolutely nothing for Boston. Smith underwent arm reconstruction and may be back in June or July. For Thornburg, his health is like the mystery of dark matter. Just what is wrong? MRI machines are being overworked as his reported shoulder impingement persists.

Why do the Red Sox have such unfortunate outcomes with pitchers? Price, Pomeranz, Smith and Thornburg. All down. With Thornburg, it is a disaster since Travis Shaw was the player shipped to the Brewers. Shaw is lighting it up for the Brewers and the Red Sox have a gargantuan hole at third base.

Smith and especially Thornburg were supposed to give the one – two punch out of the bullpen for 2017, but now it is Matt Barnes, Heath Hembree and several others who should be in secondary and not primary roles. Maybe both will return by the second half and solidify the ‘pen? I will not count on it.

Both these deals are developing into an extended version of the Pomeranz trade, but not based on performance. We have no idea of the pitching competency of either since they are both on the DL and not the mound.

EARLY GRADE – F

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