3 trades to fix the Boston Red Sox bullpen in 2022

The Red Sox biggest need right now is a high-leverage bullpen arm, or two

The Boston Red Sox exceeded nearly all expectations in 2021. But even while making a run at the American League pennant, the one area of the club that didn’t quite achieve those heights was the bullpen.

There were certainly bright spots over the course of 162 games, like the emergence of Garrett Whitlock and the two-month dominance of Josh Taylor. But storylines like the downfall of Matt Barnes after an All-Star first half, the ups and downs of Adam Ottavino, the injuries that plagued the likes of Ryan Brasier and Hirokazu Sawamura, and the inconsistencies of just about everyone else on the relief staff are what the 2021 Red Sox bullpen is remembered for. And rightfully so.

For 2022, that means opportunity to improve. As Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom plans his next moves to ensure the organization fields a competitive team this season and for years to come, it is all but certain that addressing the needs in the bullpen are at the top of his list. And while names like Kenley Jansen, Andrew Chafin and Ryan Tepera remain on the open market, there’s a strong chance that Bloom could turn to the trade market to add a high-leverage arm or two.

Here are three possible trade candidates (and what it may take to acquire them) that Bloom and the Red Sox should consider to sure up the bullpen as soon as the MLB lockout ends.