Red Sox: 5 non-tender players to consider in free agency
By Sean Penney
The veteran journeyman found a home with the Los Angeles Angels the last two seasons but he’s on the move again. The 33-year old carved out a meaningful role in the Angels’ bullpen and even spent some time as their closer, collecting 22 saves over the last two seasons.
Parker posted a 3.26 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 9.5 K/9 this year. That’s solid production for a reliever. He was even better the previous year when he owned a 2.54 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and 11.5 K/9. That gives him an appealing ceiling with a relatively safe floor if he continues to pitch at the level he’s been at in recent years.
There are some early career struggles that may be of some concern, including a brief stint with the New York Yankees in which he allowed nine earned runs in only 16 1/3 innings. Parker seems to have figured himself out in Los Angeles so we shouldn’t expect him to revert back to that pre-2017 form.
Parker could be a potential replacement for Joe Kelly if he leaves in free agency, while his closing experience makes him a dark horse candidate to compete for the ninth inning role if Craig Kimbrel signs elsewhere.