3 Red Sox players who definitely shouldn’t be back in 2023

ARLINGTON, TX - MAY 15: Bobby Dalbec #29 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after striking out against the Texas Rangers during the second inning at Globe Life Field on May 15, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - MAY 15: Bobby Dalbec #29 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after striking out against the Texas Rangers during the second inning at Globe Life Field on May 15, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
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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 is entering his final year of arbitration, but he’s also coming off the worst season of his six-year career. Over a career-high 68 appearances, he posted a 5.78 ERA and 1.299 WHIP.

It’s hard to compare different seasons of Brasier’s career, as he’s only exceeded 33 innings twice; his innings total this year comprises about a third of his career total. Really, it’s hard to get a handle on Brasier’s issues, period. 46 of his appearances were scoreless, but nine times, he allowed 2+ earned runs and 4+ four times. His walk % was the lowest of his entire career and well below league average, but opposing batters gave him the worst batting average and slugging percentage of his time in the majors.

The Sox could likely get Brasier for pennies in arbitration, but is the affordability worth the liability? In five save opportunities, he blew four. Right down to the final game of the season, Brasier was giving up earned runs.

If the Sox are serious about contending in 2023, he shouldn’t be on the team.

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