The Boston Red Sox have some repair work to do regarding their suddenly diminished bullpen in the wake of free agent losses. What are they waiting for?
A cultural interlude as we collectively wait, discuss, analyze, and project just what will transpire with regards to the missing piece for the 2019 Red Sox – the bullpen. In Samuel Beckett’s play “Waiting for Godot” it is two characters – Estragon and Vladimir – are waiting for someone named Godot who never shows. Our Godot may just be the bullpen.
The chips are falling off the board and market value is starting to be determined. Joe Kelly – the beloved (somewhat) “Fighting Joe” – is with the Dodgers for three years and $25 MM. I guess that is the going rate for a 4.39 ERA.
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Andrew Miller has been mentioned for a possible replacement to Boston. The injury hampered lefty – who appeared in 37 games in 2018 – signed a deal for $25 MM, but for just two years and not three as with Kelly.
Then there is former closer Craig Kimbrel who has set the income bar exceedingly high with a request of six-years and $100 MM. Of course, you can ask for anything you want as a free agent, but getting it may certainly disappoint. That said – expect Kimbrel to get a hefty contract.
Where is Godot?
The board still has some intriguing free agent possibilities and that certainly centers on New York and the Yankees. The delightful possibility of pillaging David Robertson and Zach Britton from the Yankees ‘pen would delight any Red Sox fan despite the cost. And that cost?
The projecting signings for both Robertson and Britton are in the three years and $33 MM niche and that niche may be expanding based on what Miller just had stuffed in his pockets for two years. Then there are trade possibilities and that conjures up just about anyone with a healthy or semi-healthy arm that has the supporting metrics to justify a trade.
Dave Dombrowski may also be Waiting for Godot as in market stabilization. That has the same inherent risks as an investor or speculator – both are similar – of timing the stock market. This is not the same scenario as with J.D. Martinez where a market was exceedingly limited. Waiting may have talent scooped up elsewhere.
Godot may never come. The Red Sox simply could do the internal shuffle and hand the bullpen closer, set-up, bridge or whatever role into a baseball blender and see what results. My suspicion is the results will not be kind to the mental state of fans and starters who see a win evaporate.
There certainly is time, but time and talent ebb away and Boston fandom has a notoriously short attention span. If little changes in the next few months this will not end kindly for the 2019 season.