Red Sox Trade Rumors: Long-shot blockbuster deals we wish would happen
By Sean Penney
Craig Kimbrel could bolt in free agency, leaving the Red Sox looking for another closer. Rather than pay top dollar to retain a reliever who appears to be approaching the downslope of his career, why not trade for a cheaper, younger solution?
Iglesias is signed for a very reasonable $5.7 million in each of the next two seasons and remains under team control until 2022. The 28-year old converted 30 of 34 save opportunities while posting a 2.38 ERA and 10.0 K/9.
As with many hard-throwing relievers, walks can be an issue for Iglesias. However, his career 3.0 BB/9 is an improvement over Kimbrel, who posted an atrocious 4.5 BB/9 this season.
The Cinncinati Reds were rumored to be shopping bullpen pieces at the trade deadline but ended up keeping Iglesias. A team that isn’t anywhere near contending doesn’t need to hang on to an elite closer so we should expect they’ll listen to offers.
A package built around 2018 third-round pick Durbin Feltman should entice the Reds. He’s a hard-throwing right-hander who projects to be a high-ceiling closer but isn’t quite ready for the majors. He fits Cinncinatti’s timeline while the Red Sox need a pitcher of that caliber who can help now if Kimbrel leaves.