Red Sox: 5 trade targets that could bolster Boston’s bullpen
By Jacob DeReus
The team looks good, but the Red Sox bullpen still needs help!
This Red Sox team has really turned things around as of late and they’ve been a lot of fun to watch. The starting rotation has been phenomenal and has been one of the absolute best pitching staff in the entire league this month. While the starters are doing their jobs, we’re here to talk about the relievers.
The bullpen has come through when needed recently and while they’ve been much better I’m not going to let any recency bias blind me. There are a few guys that I trust and have been consistent on the mound, namely, Matt Strahm, John Schrieber, Tanner Houck, and Austin Davis.
On the season so far Davis has posted an ERA of 1.46. In his last 15 games, he has been outright dominating. He has pitched in 15 1/3 innings in those games, posting an ERA of 0.59 with 16 strikeouts.
Schrieber has been even more impressive. He has been waltzing along this season. He’s only allowed three runs on the year giving him an ERA just below 1 at 0.98. Schrieber has been such a surprise and a major blessing to this bullpen. I do not think anyone had him being the bullpen stud so far this year.
Matt Strahm has had his ups and downs on the season so far, but as of recent, he has been dealing. In both of his save opportunities he had recently, he capitalized on both of them and gave the Sox a solid outing.
Houck has been a nice surprise for this bullpen as well. I did not expect him here, but due to not being vaccinated and losing his starting job, he has performed very well in his new role and has been argued to be the closer. In his last seven games, he has pitched 12 innings recording 12 strikeouts and not allowing a single run, while earning a pair of saves.
With Whitlock being put on the injured list, the Red Sox have been given an opportunity to get him back into the bullpen when he comes back. Even if Whitlock returns to the pen, they still could use another arm or two.
Jeff Runnels wrote about three trades to fix the bullpen a few months ago. While I feel like the bullpen does not need a total fix anymore, they definitely could use some help to be a strong solid relief squad. Here are five guys that the Red Sox could deal for that would help out this bullpen.