Red Sox: 3 relievers Boston should re-sign when the lockout ends
Familiar faces could solidify the Red Sox bullpen
As the players and owners continue to meet in Jupiter, Florida it feels like we can start to feel a little bit optimistic for the 2022 season. Once the lockout does end I think we can all expect a wild signing frenzy as teams try to build their squads before spring training begins. The biggest thing the Red Sox should focus on is the bullpen and luckily for them, there are plenty of familiar faces still available on the board.
Boston’s bullpen was one of the absolute worst in 2020, but then again, there wasn’t much that was good about that year. They were able to turn things around in 2021 and once again they finished the season with a top-10 relief squad. While I’m thrilled the moves Chaim Bloom made to the relievers seemingly paid off, I mean until the ALCS, but there’s still work to do.
There are plenty of names that are waiting to be signed when business opens back up ahead of spring training but I love the idea of bringing back guys who have been with the club before. Obviously, if the arm can’t get the job done I don’t want them back but I feel that the three pitchers I chose not only can rise to the occasion when called upon but can also help the Red Sox take the next step in 2022.
Former Red Sox RP #1: Hansel Robles
That’s right folks, I’m here to talk about the damn Deadman himself, Hansel Robles. It takes a lot of balls to walk to the mound to the Undertaker’s theme but for a lot of his time in Boston Robles was able to back it up. Some may not like this choice, and I get that, but I really liked what Hansel brought to the table when he had his stuff working. As long as Alex Cora can keep him focused I think the righty can be a big asset.
Hansel has spent his seven years in the majors split between four teams spanning both leagues. He came to the Red Sox at the Trade Deadline in a move that left most fans wanting more. However, we should trust in Chaim as he has a plan and very rarely strays from it. Bloom sent minor leaguer Alex Scherff to the Twins for a major league-ready arm, pretty good if you ask me.
Robles appeared in 27 games in 2021 and totaled a 3.60 ERA through 25.0 innings of work. He also carried a 3.37 FIP, 1.360 WHIP, and a solid 2.54 SO/W mix. He had a mixed bag of results in the Postseason as he was untouchable in the Wild Card Game but got rocked in the ALDS. He tossed just 1 2/3 innings against the Rays over two games but tallied a 10.80 ERA as Tampa wasn’t letting up on him.
The good news is, he rallied back against the Astros in the ALCS and finished that series with a 3.38 ERA in 2 2/3 against one of the best offenses in the league. When he wasn’t messing around and changing up his timing or routine on the mound to mess with hitters he’s actually a quality pitcher. His salary is incredibly team-friendly at just $2M in 2021 and I think Bloom could get him back for something in the $2.5-3M range.
Former Red Sox RP #2: Adam Ottavino
If you’ve followed any of my work on this site over the last few years then you know I love an absolute lunatic. In fact, the final pitcher I chose for this falls in this category as well, but more on him later. Whether it be Dustin Pedroia in the field or Chris Sale coming out of the bullpen in the 2018 World Series, I love that kind of player.
After what we saw from him in 2021, I fully believe that Adam Ottavino falls into this category. Seriously, let’s just look at his history. Otto is a guy that said he’d smoke The Babe without even trying and also talked trash to uber nice guy Shohei Ohtani on his birthday.
The righty gets himself up big when the lights are shining bright and he’s a guy I want in our bullpen in 2022. He bounced back and forth with Matt Barnes in the second half as far as their roles were concerned but I like him in either the seventh or eighth inning primarily. The veteran righty has over a decade of service time in the league and with his history of ups and downs, he can be a solid mentor.
Ottavino has a heavy fastball/slider mix with his routine and actually used both pitches an even amount at 48.4% in 2021. He also has a cutter, change, and splitter but he knows what weapons are his best and leans on them heavily.
Normally I would prefer a more balanced pitch mix but when your one-two punches are as good as Otto’s it’s hard to argue against them. Boston more than has the budget for bringing him back, possibly in the $8-9M range.
Former Red Sox RP #3: Joe Kelly
I’ve asked for this quite a few times since his departure to Hollywood, bring Joe Kelly home! Fightin’ Joe is without a doubt a fan favorite with Red Sox Nation and rightfully so. Anytime you run your mouth to the Yankees and then beat one of them up, you’re good with the Fenway Faithful. I’m just saying, one guy has earned two rings since that fight while the other isn’t even in the league.
Kelly didn’t get off to a hot start with the Dodgers but saw some success in the COVID ruined 2020 season and had a massive rebound in 2021. The righty finished last year with a 2.86 ERA in 44 innings through 48 games. Being able to put up some of the best numbers of his career in his ninth year is impressive.
What really makes me want to bring him back to Boston was his 0.977 WHIP and insane 10.2/3.1 K/BB mix. Joe has a filthy arsenal of pitches to keep batters on their toes and it’s something the Red Sox bullpen could use going forward.
The right-hander has a fastball that averaged 97mph last season while mixing in a curveball and change that both sit around 87mph. Having that nice gap in pitch speeds makes them even more lethal for the hitter but that heater/curve combo is his real weapon. I surely don’t envy anyone that is in the batter’s box when he’s on the mound.
From everything I’ve ever seen, ol’ Jimmy B loved his time in Boston and would’ve re-signed had the price been right. The Dodgers bought out his contract for a cool $4M so anything the Red Sox add-in is gravy. I could see Chaim cutting a check in the realm of $6M for 2022 with an option for 2023, a win-win. Bring home, Fightin’ Joe!
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