Red Sox Rumors: Boston talking to Marlins about Kyle Barraclough
The Boston Red Sox have reportedly been in contact with the Miami Marlins about some of their available relievers, including closer Kyle Barraclough.
The Miami Marlins cleaned house with a fire sale before the season started. If they plan to do so again at the trade deadline then the Boston Red Sox may look to take advantage of the opportunity to bolster their bullpen.
MLB.com’s Jon Morosi reports that the Red Sox are among the teams that have been in contact with the Marlins about a few of their late-inning relievers.
The prize of the Miami bullpen is Kyle Barraclough. The right-hander is having a breakout season, posting a 1.21 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 9.4 K/9. Barraclough has eight saves, converting seven of his last eight opportunities since taking over the closer role from the struggling Brad Ziegler last month.
Boston has struggled to patch together a reliable bridge to Craig Kimbrel. Adding a reliever the caliber of Barraclough would go a long way toward Red Sox fans avoiding a panic attack late in close games. Now that he’s earned the “proven closer” label, Barraclough would also offer insurance in case Kimbrel bolts in free agency this winter.
A realistic target?
Barraclough is being paid an affordable $1.113 million this season. He’ll be arbitration eligible next year and won’t hit free agency until 2022. There’s no urgency for the Marlins to deal him unless they are blown away.
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MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro indicates the asking price will be extremely high for Barraclough. The Marlins have had internal discussions about making him a foundation piece of their roster. Miami will always listen to offers but it would take a team’s top prospect, or among their top prospects, to pry Barraclough away.
That doesn’t sound like a price that the Red Sox can pay. Their top hitting prospect missed 80 games with a PED suspension and their top pitching prospect is sidelined after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Who knows if the Marlins would have interest in either with their value on the decline.
Backups plans
If trade talks involving Barraclough go nowhere, the Marlins do have a couple other relievers to consider.
Lefty Drew Steckenrider is having a solid rookie season. The 27-year old has posted a 3.14 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 10.6 K/9. Teams are always on the lookout for left-handed relievers so it’s no surprise the Marlins are getting calls about Steckenrider. It’s unlikely that they’ll deal him considering he’s under team control until 2024.
Adam Conley had a horrible year in the Marlins rotation last year but he’s been lights out in their bullpen. Conley owns a 1.50 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 9.5 K/9 this season. Those numbers are nearly identical to Barraclough’s yet he wouldn’t cost nearly as much to acquire. In part because teams look at the pitcher he was last year and wonder if his 18 innings this season are a mirage. It might be. However, Conley wouldn’t be the first failed starter to thrive in the bullpen.
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The Red Sox need bullpen help. It’s wise of them to kick the tires on any quality relievers who may be available. The Marlins have several. A strong bullpen is a luxury for a rebuilding team, which is why they are willing to listen. Yet given that their best relievers each have several years of control remaining they won’t be eager to give them away. It’s going to be costly and the price may be too steep for the Red Sox.