Red Sox: Ranking Boston’s nine upcoming free agents by importance
By Jacob DeReus
![BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 15: From left, Red Sox Owner John Henry, Chairman Tom Werner, CEO Sam Kennedy, and Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom attend a press conference addressing the departure of Alex Cora as manager of the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on January 15, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. A MLB investigation concluded that Cora was involved in the Houston Astros sign stealing operation in 2017 while he was the bench coach. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 15: From left, Red Sox Owner John Henry, Chairman Tom Werner, CEO Sam Kennedy, and Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom attend a press conference addressing the departure of Alex Cora as manager of the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on January 15, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. A MLB investigation concluded that Cora was involved in the Houston Astros sign stealing operation in 2017 while he was the bench coach. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fbosoxinjection-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F08-2F1199728617-850x560-cb89039d6554430a584aa49a4c1cc739.jpg)
#7: Red Sox RP Matt Strahm
Coming in at number seven on my list is relief pitcher Matt Strahm. This was a tough one. Two relief pitchers are up for a new contract at the end of this year and I decided to put first-year Red Sox reliever, Strahm here at number seven.
I do not know if it is recency biased or what, but I do not mind letting Strahm walk away. It is hard to see consistency with Strahm. His career ERA is like a wave. His ERA has gone from 1.23 up to 5.45 down to 2.05 up to 4.71 down to 2.61 up to 8.10 down to what is currently a 3.52.
I really do not like seeing that in a pitcher. I would understand if the good and bad seasons were clumped together. That would make me more comfortable with him, but the fact is he shows very little consistency. He does make me happy that by looking at his stats he should have a good year this year.
I feel like the Boston bullpen always has a few slots that are a revolving door anyway, so it would not surprise me no matter how well Strahm does if he does not return.