Boston Red Sox: Six steps for a perfect 2020-2021 offseason
By Sean Penney
Red Sox offseason plan Step 4: Sign a closer
While the Red Sox need help in the rotation, the bullpen is in even greater need of an upgrade. Following the deadline deal that shipped Brandon Workman to Philadelphia, Boston turned primarily to Matt Barnes to close out games. If this team is serious about contending next year, they will need a more reliable closer.
There are several relief pitchers with closing experience on the market this winter. The top option will be Oakland A’s closer Liam Hendriks.
The highest paid reliever to sign a free-agent deal last year was Will Smith’s 3-year, $39 million deal with the Atlanta Braves. Smith’s career 4.7 WAR is identical to Hendriks’ and they are approximately the same age. We should expect Hendriks to get a very similar deal with an average annual value of $13 million, which would be tied for eighth in MLB history for a reliever.
If the Red Sox strike out with luring Hendriks, Alex Colome provides a suitable backup plan. Bloom’s familiarity with him from their time together with the Tampa Bay Rays might even make him a higher priority, especially if he is slightly cheaper.
Signing Hendriks or any of the other top available closers on the market in addition to Bauer eats up the $50 million in payroll space under the tax threshold but it fills Boston’s two biggest holes. They could be content with stopping there but a perfect offseason needs to push a bit further.