Five free agent relievers Red Sox could pursue from World Series teams
By Sean Penney
Daniel Hudson
Daniel Hudson was a rumored trade target of the Red Sox at the deadline until the Toronto Blue Jays shipped him to Washington. He took over the closer role for the Nats down the stretch and tallied six saves this season.
Hudson posted a 2.47 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 8.8 K/9 in 73 innings split between Toronto and Washington. He was outstanding when thrown into the heat of a pennant race, producing a 1.44 ERA in 25 innings after the trade to the Nationals.
The new Nats closer has been lights out in the postseason with 5 2/3 shutout innings and four saves.
Hudson relies mostly on a fastball that hovers in the mid-90s and a hard slider with the occasional changeup. He also toys with a sinker that averages a tick below 96 mph, nearly as fast as his four-seam but generates more swings-and-misses. He doesn’t have the overpowering fastball or sweeping breaking ball associated with most top-tier closers but he clearly has the tools to get the job done.
The Red Sox wouldn’t necessarily use him as their closer but he would provide insurance in case Workman falters.