Red Sox: Five candidates that could be Boston’s next closer

Red Sox Closing Option #5: Chris Sale

Another guy that is currently on the sidelines is Chris Sale. The Boogeyman has been out for the entirety of the 2022 season after breaking a rib during preseason workouts. Some of you may scoff at this idea considering his resume and contract, but with his injury history and age, this makes perfect sense. Why push him back to the rotation just to be a glorified opener or to only toss four to five innings?

Sale has spent the majority of the last few years recovering from injuries. Whether it be his shoulder, elbow, ribs, and the long recovery from Tommy John, it’s been a long time since he’s been healthy.

We saw him make his triumphant return last season and he gave the Red Sox a boost in the rotation but he was missing something. He just didn’t have the stamina we’ve gotten accustomed to seeing and it’s understandable coming back from TJS.

So, what do the Red Sox do with Sale upon his latest injury recovery? I pitched this idea prior to his return from TJS last season and I’ll once again stand on that mountain. BSI’s Sean Penney has also sounded the horn on making Sale our next closer and it just makes too much sense. Like Whitlock, I’d much rather get an inning or maybe two of Sale’s absolute best stuff rather than trying to stretch him out for a mediocre start.

The Condor recently spoke to the media and made it very clear that he doesn’t care what the Red Sox asks him to do when he’s cleared he just wants to contribute. Just imagine it’s the ninth inning, the Sox have the lead, and this maniac starts strutting out of the bullpen. I don’t know about you, but I surely don’t want to see Sale in that situation, just ask Manny Machado how that ends.