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.

Red Sox Trade Target: Josh Hader – LHP, Milwaukee Brewers

Josh Hader has been one of the best relief pitchers in baseball since making his debut with the Brewers in 2017. In 2021, Hader finished in the top 1% of the MLB for xBA, xSLG, wOBA, xwOBA, K% and xERA, per Baseball Savant. He’s been in the top 1% of the league for xBA each of the past four seasons, and for xERA in three of the past four.

Hader assumed the closing role for the Brewers during the 2018 season, making his first of three All-Star appearances thus far in his career and holding down the 9th inning for the Brew Crew ever since. He’s been top 5 in the majors in saves each of the last three seasons (34 last year, 13 in the shortened 2020, and 37 in 2019). Hader has a career 0.85 WHIP, 2.26 ERA and 44.4 K% over five seasons with Milwaukee.

What would a trade for Josh Hader look like?

Hader’s ability to lock down the 9th inning is undeniable, and he would instantly turn the Red Sox bullpen into a weapon for Alex Cora. But Milwaukee is not necessarily in a position to sell after winning the NL Central in 2021. Let’s not forget how they just sent two prospects along with Jackie Bradley Jr. to Boston in an effort to add more pop to their offense in the form of Hunter Renfroe, so the Red Sox would likely need to include a major league bat along with a prospect or two to pry Hader away.

Depending on what other moves Bloom makes when the lockout ends and with top prospect Triston Casas looking all but ready to take over first base in the near future, Alex Verdugo or Bobby Dalbec could become expendable. Packaging one of those two guys with a pitching prospect on the verge of breaking into the big leagues such as Connor Seabold, Josh Winckowski or Kutter Crawford could entice the Milwaukee front office to open conversations around their prized closer.

Red Sox Trade Target: David Bednar – RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates acquired David Bednar from the Padres as part of the Joe Musgrove trade in January 2021, and his first full major league season saw him finish 8th in NL Rookie of the Year voting. Bednar posted a 2.23 ERA with a 0.97 WHIP in 60.2 innings out of the Pirates bullpen, and finished in the top 7% of the league for xBA, xSLG, wOBA, xwOBA, K% and xERA, per Baseball Savant.

The 27-year-old features a three-pitch mix consisting of a fastball that sits 96 – 97 MPH, a curveball, and a splitter. Bednar was the best reliever the Pirates had in 2021 and was a bright spot for an otherwise lowly Pittsburgh team that finished in the basement of the NL Central. Bednar will make $575K in 2022 and is under team control through the 2026 season.

What would a trade for David Bednar look like?

The Pirates don’t appear ready to compete in the near future, and while having a cost-controlled arm like Bednar’s in the bullpen is great, he can be better used as a trade chip to bring in talent that can help to expedite their rebuild process. A prospect or two that will better fit the timeline of when the Pirates should be able to contend with the rest of their division holds far more value than a reliever on a non-competitive team.

When Pittsburgh sent Jacob Stallings to Miami before the lockout went into effect, they further committed to rebuilding rather than contending in 2022. And after a strong rookie campaign, the time may never be better to get a return for Bednar.

The Red Sox have several intriguing prospects in the #25 – 35 organizational prospect rankings on SoxProspects.com, and also have tremendous organizational depth at the shortstop position after drafting Marcelo Mayer with the fourth overall pick in 2021, and recently signing both Fraymi De Leon and Freili Encarnacion as international free agents.

Within that 25 – 35 range on SoxProspects.com are three shortstops – David Hamilton, Matthew Lugo, and Christian Koss. With the uncertain future at the shortstop position in Pittsburgh, it’s possible one of these three and an additional lower tier prospect would be enough to land Bednar in Boston.