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Red Sox Free Agency: Three positions to target to be competitive in 2021

By Bradley Shanler

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 23: Nathan Eovaldi #17 of the Boston Red Sox reacts during the first inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles on September 23, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 23: Nathan Eovaldi #17 of the Boston Red Sox reacts during the first inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles on September 23, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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Cincinnati Reds Trevor Bauer red sox
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (27) delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.Milwaukee Brewers At Cincinnati Reds Sept 23 /

Red Sox Starting Pitcher Needs

Pitching is definitely the biggest problem the Sox had in 2020. Their Opening Day starter was Nathan Eovaldi, which says a lot about the team already. After Sale went down for Tommy John, it was thought that E-Rod would then take over for Opening Day but ue to complications with COVID, that didn’t happen and they had to go with their number 3 starter.

The rotation consisted of Eovaldi and Martin Perez. Yes, I only mentioned two players because that is what it consisted of. Perez was the only consistent pitcher for the Red Sox in 2020, not missing any starts throughout the season. The bullpen really didn’t get a chance to establish themselves in save opportunities because the Sox would be so far behind by the time they had a chance.

Almost every Sox fan wants Trevor Bauer and unfortunately, I don’t see that as realistic. Bauer is going to want to get paid his $25+ million for one year (if he stands by his one-year deal) and I don’t think that really works well into Bloom’s plans. There have been talks showing interest in J.A. Happ, which I don’t know how to really feel about that. According to Jon Morosi, fans should have seen this coming. Happ has thrown more innings in Fenway than any other ballpark he did not call home.

I know Bauer is not realistic, but please come on Bloom. Jake Odorizzi would be someone the Sox should look at. It’s not like they need multiple arms to contend. With E-rod coming back and presumably healthy, he would be the number one starter. If he doesn’t show much rust and pitches as he did in 2019. Eovaldi would end up being a number two starter.

Though this isn’t really an ideal situation it is still a step in the right direction. If the Sox pick up Odorizzi and toss him in as a number 3 starter and get an arm or two for the pen, they would-be contenders. Another arm the Sox could go after in the starter role is Corey Kluber.

Kluber is right up Bloom’s alley. He was injured for the 2020 season, was a good pitcher before being sidelined, and will probably be looking for a one-year deal. If the price is right, I don’t see why the Sox would not go after Kluber.

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