Former Red Sox names in the news in MLB
Former Red Sox players are on the move as the 2022 season prepares to open. The linkage can be memorable or, in most instances, forgettable, but a few may surface in opposition uniforms.
The Red Sox closer is the riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma, but the Dodgers solved their closer situation. Former Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrell was shipped to the Blue by the White Sox for outfielder AJ Pollack.
In 2022 Kimbrell bagged 24 saves in 29 attempts with the bulk of his duty with the Chicago Cubs before a trade to the Pale Hose. Kimbrell was an All-Star all three of his Boston seasons with the Red Sox, collecting 108 saves. The 2018 playoffs were enduring to Red Sox Nation as a Kimbrel appearance brought out the defibrillators.
Right-hander Brandon Workman was released by the Rangers – his third team in a year. In 2021 Workman had a second go-around with the Red Sox, pitching to a 4.95 ERA before being released.
Workman’s career highlight season was with the Sox in 2019 when he went 10-1 and added on 16 saves while posting a 1.88 ERA. In 2020 the Red Sox shipped Workman to Philadelphia along with Heath Hembree in a deal that brought Nick Pivetta and Connor Seabold to Boston.
The Washington Nationals have granted a roster spot for 38-year-old righty Anibal Sáchez. Sánchez last surfaced in MLB in 2020 with the same Nats pitching 4-5.
Sánchez never pitched for the Red Sox but was an integral part of the trade package that brought a 2007 World Series to Boston. Sánchez and Hanley Ramírez went to Miami, and Mike Lowell and Josh Beckett came to Boston.
Danny Santana was a bust in Boston in 2021. The Red Sox signed the speedster for one year at $1.75M, and the return was .181 with five home runs. Speaking of busts, that is what happened to the 31-year old switch-hitter who got pinched for PED use and an 80 game suspension.
Since busts are now the critical word, Marwin Gonzalez may be back in Boston when the Yankees come to town. Gonzalez was a $3M free-agent signing for 2021, a disaster hitting just .202 before being released.
Gonzalez was then signed by the Astros and did little, hitting just .176 but making their World Series roster. Gonzalez signed in late March with the Yankees, and the versatile Gonzalez has made the team for now.
Lefty Wade Miley went 11-11 for his only Red Sox season in 2015. Miley’s career has fluctuated between good, awful, and very good. In 2021 it was very good with a 12-7 record and 5.9 bWAR for the Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs are now faced with the possibility of losing a key piece in their 2022 rotation as Miley is on the ten-day IL. The issue has red flags, such as inflammation of the elbow.
Opening Day is coming fast as the Red Sox make their way to the Bronx to open up 2022 against their hated rivals. We saw Boston and New York last clash in the AL Wild Card Game where the Sox vanquished their foes en route to the ALDS and another AL East juggernaut. Once again Boston will be an underdog going into the season but we all saw how that played out last year.