Red Sox: 3 former players Boston should re-sign when the lockout ends

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 18: Kyle Schwarber #18 of the Boston Red Sox hits a grand slam home run during the second inning of game three of the 2021 American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park on October 18, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 18: Kyle Schwarber #18 of the Boston Red Sox hits a grand slam home run during the second inning of game three of the 2021 American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park on October 18, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
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Former Red Sox RP Hansel Robles
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 02: Hansel Robles #56 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates after the Red Sox defeated the Washington Nationals 5-3 at Nationals Park on October 02, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Former Red Sox RP: Hansel Robles

This one may get some heat from Red Sox Nation but in the long run, I think history will be kind to me on this selection. Hansel Robles came to Boston via trade with the Minnesota Twins and had himself a mixed second half. At times, he was electric and couldn’t be touched by the opposing hitter. And then at others, he would try to get too cute on the mound and get absolutely crushed.

I’m more into re-signing the Hansel that was lights-out and showed that passion and intensity and a lot less about re-signing the goof that could change his motion with every pitch to fool the hitter. He had a 3.60 ERA through his 25 innings with the Red Sox but his 11.9/4.7 K/BB rate is why I want him back in the bullpen.

If he sticks to what got him to the dance and less showmanship I believe that walk tally will drop. I wasn’t always the kindest to Hansel during the season but it was because the dude can get the job done and seemingly just chose to not do so.

Why not go out there and blast the other team with your best stuff instead of trying to throw off their timing with awkward wind-ups? Plus coming to the mound with The Undertaker’s music blaring over the loudspeaker is pretty cool. He’d be an inexpensive pickup and what I feel could be an asset to a bullpen that needs support.

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