Red Sox free agency: Looking at potential bullpen options

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BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 24: Ryan Madson #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers the pitch during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game Two of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 24, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Jim Johnson twice led the American League in saves while with Baltimore, but that was in another life for the 35-year-old right-hander. Last season Johnson did some commendable work for the Angels (5-3, 3.84) in 62 games.

Johnson has lost a tick off his fastball but can still get into the mid-90s and mixes it in with a curve and occasional change. Expect the veteran to match his 2018 salary of $5 MM. Matt Barnes and Heath Hembree are better options.

Right-handed Fernando Salas posted respectable numbers for Arizona (4-4, 4.50) in 40 innings. The now 33-year-old relies on a fastball (90.5 v), slider, and change. Doesn’t walk many (2.9 BB/9) or strike out many (6.8 K/9). May end up with an incentive based contract somewhere.

Ryan Madson had a quite forgettable 2018 season (2-5, 5.47) after a long and quite successful MLB run of 13 seasons. In 2018 Madson threw with greater velocity (95.5) than any time in his career mixing in a curve and change. Madson may be a risky but cheap bargain.

Jake Diekman still throws hard (95.0 v), walks too many (5.0 BB/9), and fell apart in Arizona (7.53 ERA) after being traded from Texas. Classified as a lefty specialist Diekman had lefties whack him around to the tune of .329 versus just .188 for righties in 2018. Maybe a bargain.

Report Cards: Manager Alex Cora. dark. Next

Left-hander Justin Wilson is 31-years-old and had a far less than impressive 5.4 BB/9 for the Cubs in 2018. That was balanced out by an 11.4 K/9 and 7.4 H/9 as Wilson can certainly get into the high 90s with his fastball. The Cubs are Wilson’s fifth team in seven seasons and that may soon be a sixth team. Too many walks.

VERDICT: Nothing Special

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