Red Sox: 5 trade targets that could bolster Boston’s bullpen

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.

Red Sox Target #1: A.J. Puk

Now when you hear about a trade possibly involving an Oakland pitcher it is most likely going to be Frankie Montas. While I love Montas and would love him to be in the Boston rotation, my target here is left-handed relief pitcher, A.J. Puk.

Puk is dealing right now with the A’s.  He has appeared in 23 games, pitching 27 and 1/3 innings. He has been able to post an ERA of 1.65 on the season with 25 strikeouts.

Last week when Puk appeared in two games against the Red Sox, he pitched an inning each game recording two strikeouts. He did give up a run, but it was a home run to one of the best third basemen in the game, Rafael Devers.

Puk appeared again against the Red Sox these last two games where he tossed a pair of innings while not letting a single Boston batter cross home plate.

He has only given up five runs this year in 25 1/3 innings. I love that he can bring a solid arm and help out this bullpen. He does not seem to get rattled and if he gives up a run, he is quick to bounce back and does not seem to get into slumps.

Puk has four pitches he can throw, a four-seam, a slider, a sinker, and a changeup. While he does have those pitches, according to statcast, he mostly throws his four-seam and slider. Mixing in the other two could allow him to become even more dangerous and that’s something this Sox pen could use.

Red Sox Target #3: Daniel Bard

Bringing home an old familiar face would be a great move for this Red Sox bullpen. Daniel Bard is currently pitching for the Rockies since he decided to make a comeback to baseball back in 2020.

Bard has been lights out this season. He currently holds a 2.05 ERA and has 13 saves in 15 opportunities. He is currently on pace to set a career record in saves needing just 7 more to reach the mark.

Out of these five pitchers on this list, Bard leads all of them in strikeouts with 34.

There was a short span this season where the righty was not looking too hot and was giving up runs. In the three games that he appeared in from May 11th-May16th he gave up four earned runs. Since then though he has given up zero earned runs, bringing his ERA from 4.05 all the way down to that 2.05. Bard has only given up two home runs on the season.

Bard has gone up against some pretty good teams, so the fact he is doing this well gives me some hope he can come dominate the AL East.

I do not know what has gotten into him but it truly has been a blast seeing him return to his old self and dominate lineups like he used to. It would be a lot more fun to see him return to the Red Sox bullpen and get a chance to win a ring!

Red Sox Target #4: Scott Barlow

Scott Barlow is currently a relief pitcher for the Kansas City Royals. On the year so far, Barlow is currently posting an ERA of 1.78. In his last 7 games, he does have an ERA north of 2 at 2.25, but that is still an amazing ERA to have.

Barlow has two games against AL East opponents. He has faced the Yankees once and the Blue Jays once. In his game against the Blue Jays on June 8th, Barlow gave up one run on three hits with zero strikeouts and zero walks. In his appearance against the Yankees on May 1st, Barlow struck out one, walked one, and gave up one hit while allowing no one to score.

I know it is a very small sample size, but his dominance against the league and the few games versus AL East teams give me some confidence that if he were to come to Boston he would continue his domination.

Barlow has improved every single year for the Royals. He does have two years of arbitration left, but being 29 years old, it’s time for him to go to a team and get paid for the work and talent that he has. The righty would be a great fit for the Red Sox bullpen this year and for years to come!

Red Sox Target #5: Brusdar Graterol

This last pitcher is not one that is currently dominating. He is actually struggling a little bit, maybe a lot, but it still does not change how much potential he can bring to a bullpen.

Brusdar Graterol is now pitching for the Dodgers. Los Angeles acquired him in the trade in the Mookie Betts trade from the Minnesota Twins. He should have been dealt to Boston, he was in the first trade, but for some reason, he was sent to the Dodgers instead.

Now is the time to right the ship and bring Graterol to Boston. Looking at Graterol’s stats, it looks that he only seems to struggle against teams in the NL East. In a game against the Phillies he gave up three runs, two earned, and in two games against the Mets he gave up three runs, three earned in both games.

If you were to take out those three games he only has given up four runs on the season. Removing those three games would bring his ERA from the 4.28 down to 1.65. The good news is that if the Red Sox were to trade for Graterol, he would not have to face the Mets or Phillies until the postseason.

I do not see Graterol becoming the closer, but he could be a key piece of the bullpen and help lock games up in the 7th or 8th innings. Graterol will probably be the most expensive arm to get but would be the most worth it in my opinion.

If I had to pick two of these five guys, I would take Puk and Graterol. It will be fun to see what Chaim will do for this Red Sox bullpen since they are on the path to being a team that will be buyers at the trade deadline. Until then trust in Chaim and trust in AC!