Red Sox: 3 players that could be moved before the Trade Deadline

Red Sox RP: Matt Barnes

Yes, I know, the Red Sox need to be beefing up their bullpen not weakening it, but this one feels pretty realistic. Matt Barnes has been in the big leagues since 2014 and is a one-time All-Star and a World Series champion. He’s also one of the most inconsistent pitchers we have on the roster as you never know what Matty B you’re going to get that night.

I will say, he’s been the foundation and the workhorse of the Red Sox bullpen for a long time now and most certainly deserved the contract extension he received. The problem is that almost automatically after signing that deal his 2021 went right down the tubes. He was supposed to be the closer for Boston going forward and he dominated in that role until the All-Star break.

Once we got to the second half of the season the train went off the tracks and Barnes was all over the place. Gone was the attacking game plan and in its place was the cutesy game of cat and mouse that we’d seen before. I don’t think his extension will get in the way of Bloom trading him if he can get pieces in return that will help this team win.

If he had a set role, and I’ve said this countless times, he’d be one of the best pitchers in the game. Unfortunately, his spot in the game seems to get changed pretty frequently which I’m sure doesn’t help with his routine and mentality. Matty Backpacks has a nasty curve and a missile of a fastball and if they’re firing on all cylinders you can’t hit him.

While I wouldn’t be thrilled to see the bullpen get weaker, Barnes is a strong enough trade piece that Chaim could rob another team without trying.