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.