Red Sox: Four AL East trade targets for Boston when the lockout ends

Tampa Bay Rays RP: Ryan Thompson

The Red Sox are always in the need of more support for their bullpen. Too many times in recent history has our relief group gone from unhittable to unwatchable, and adding an arm like Ryan Thompson to the group will only make them better.

It’s impossible to predict at this moment just who will be in what role for the team when 2022 rolls around but I sure would love another reliever I don’t need blood pressure medication for when they enter the game. Thompson completed his sophomore season in 2021 and was absolute nails for the Rays en route to their second straight AL East crown.

I think this one is the juiciest of the group as it involves Bloom’s old team and a guy he knows very well thanks to his time in the developmental system. Another thing that should make Chaim’s mouth water is the fact that Thompson is under team control through the 2025 season and won’t be entering arbitration until next winter.

The righty did spend 96 days on the IL in 2021 due to a shoulder injury but even with the time missed he has great potential. He’s the definition of a low-risk/high-reward player and does Chaim love anything in this world more than that?

Thompson finished the year with a 2.38 ERA, 3.11 FIP, and a 1.029 WHIP. He also dominated the K/BB world with a 9.8/2.4 split for a 4.11 average. Sounds like a pretty damn good relief option to me!