BoSox Injection
Fansided

Boston Red Sox: Four steps to create a dominant bullpen

By Tim Starr

BOSTON, MA - JUNE 13: Matt Barnes #32 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after making the third out in the eighth inning of a game against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park on June 13, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 13: Matt Barnes #32 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after making the third out in the eighth inning of a game against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park on June 13, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 01: Drew Pomeranz #15 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws in pitch against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning the National League Wild Card game at Nationals Park on October 01, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 01: Drew Pomeranz #15 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws in pitch against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning the National League Wild Card game at Nationals Park on October 01, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Chaim Bloom built a destructive bullpen in his time with the Tampa Bay Rays. They had the lowest bullpen ERA in baseball at 3.66. If the Red Sox have an interest in improving their bullpen, they have the right man running the show.

More from Red Sox News

If a dominant bullpen is desired, adding a middle reliever for relatively cheap could make sense. Lower end relief could include options such as Steve Cishek, Sergio Romo, or Drew Pomeranz. Pitchers like these could deepen a Red Sox bullpen that could use help.

They wouldn’t be the saviors or the closers in the bullpen, rather just depth. Pitchers like these come cheap and sometimes one works out and it is a steal of a free agent signing. For example, Pomeranz was acquired by the Brewers from the Giants for virtually nothing. He ended up posting an ERA+ 188 as a reliever in the Brewer’s bullpen.

Realistically, if a lower end pitcher such as one of the pitchers mentioned above, they would be fifth or sixth in the Red Sox pecking order.

Ultimately, the Red Sox can afford to spend a few million and a buy-low candidate who could be a steal would be an option. Bloom always had a thin budget with Tampa Bay and excelled at finding cheap players that could produce at the big leagues. Now with the Red Sox having to squeeze the most wins out of every penny they spend, Bloom has a chance to show the Red Sox why he is their man.

Home/Red Sox News