Red Sox need some roster exit velocity to jettison underachievers

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 5: Dave Dombrowski the President of Baseball Operations for the Boston Red Sox watches batting practice before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Fenway Park on September 5, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox won 9-2. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 5: Dave Dombrowski the President of Baseball Operations for the Boston Red Sox watches batting practice before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Fenway Park on September 5, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox won 9-2. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 03: Colten Brewer #54 of the Boston Red Sox delivers pitch against the New York Yankees during game two of a double header at Yankee Stadium on August 03, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 03: Colten Brewer #54 of the Boston Red Sox delivers pitch against the New York Yankees during game two of a double header at Yankee Stadium on August 03, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Colten Brewer and Heath Hembree

Another low-risk acquisition and that usually translates into low expectations and even lower performance outcomes. Colten Brewer did not disappoint and is now at Pawtucket (AAA). Attempting to find a positive in Brewer’s too long stay in Boston is his ability to keep the ball in the yard (0.9 HR/9), but the unfortunate part is Brewer was too busy giving up free passes (5.8 BB/9).

Heath Hembree has demonstrated the ability in his five Boston seasons to accomplish both – give up walks and the long ball. Hembree – like virtually the entire staff – was allowed to close. At this point, Hembree is clearly in the category of you know what you are getting and can do better elsewhere.

Brewer and Hembree are both symptomatic of the Red Sox inability to develop consistently reliable pitching. The result is either searching for bargains or making trades for someone else’s drafting mistakes.

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