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3 DFA candidates to clear roster spots for Red Sox prospects

By Gabrielle Starr

Aug 23, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA;Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Jeurys Familia (31) throws a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA;Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Jeurys Familia (31) throws a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 20: Ryan Brasier #70 of the Boston Red Sox pitches against the Houston Astros in the sixth inning of Game Five of the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park on October 20, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 20: Ryan Brasier #70 of the Boston Red Sox pitches against the Houston Astros in the sixth inning of Game Five of the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park on October 20, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Ryan Brasier

Ryan Brasier was an excellent addition to the 2018 championship team, but he’s not that pitcher anymore.

He’s been coasting on that 1.60 ERA from the glory days for most of the last four years (he was solid over a very brief stint in 2021), and it’s time for the Sox to cut their losses. He’s currently holding a career-worst 6.62 ERA and 7.15 RA/9 over 55 appearances, significantly outpacing his previous worst season, when he posted a 4.85 ERA and 5.34 RA/9 over 62 games in 2019.

Brasier has thrown 25+ innings four times in his six big-league seasons. Among those four campaigns, 2022 is his worst year for strikeout and hard-hit rates, as well as Win Probability Added. His home-run rate is the second-worst of his career. He’s actually posted his best walk rate since 2018, but opposing lineups are hitting batting title-esque numbers against him: .309/.339/.525.

Brasier is another bullpen arm the Sox can’t trust, which makes him the perfect DFA candidate to open a roster spot for someone like German or Triston Casas.

It’s hard to see the Sox finding a trade partner for him (maybe in a package deal), and they shouldn’t be paying him or keeping him in 2023, so now’s the time.

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