3 Offseason needs the Red Sox must square up before 2022

The Red Sox must upgrade their bullpen for 2022

Signing Matt Barnes to a lucrative extension midseason felt like the first step to building a solid bullpen… until he fell apart in the second half of the season.

That he was not originally on the ALDS roster (he replaced Garrett Richards and appeared in one game) and was not included on the ALCS roster is concerning.

Other bullpen arms didn’t even make it to the postseason, including Matt Andriese, Austin Brice, and Yacksel Rios. Overall, the Red Sox made do with a largely unimpressive bullpen. But if young stars like Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock are meant to transition to starting rotation roles next year, the Red Sox need to add at least two effective bullpen arms this winter.

Ryan Brasier and Josh Taylor will both be affordable enough in arbitration, each projected to merit under $1.5 million for 2022.