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Boston Red Sox in-house closing options for 2023

By Rick McNair

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 20: A general view of the Boston Red Sox playing against the Houston Astros in Game Five of the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park on October 20, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 20: A general view of the Boston Red Sox playing against the Houston Astros in Game Five of the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park on October 20, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 18: Former Boston Red Sox closing pitcher Jonathan Papelbon throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Game Three of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park on October 18, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 18: Former Boston Red Sox closing pitcher Jonathan Papelbon throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Game Three of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park on October 18, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

The hunt for October for the Red Sox needs a closer

Shall we run the closer numbers for the 2022 Boston Red Sox? The traditional numbers show a total of 39 saves and 27 blown saves. Indeed, this is a disappointing statistic based on the results of 2004 (36/13), 2007 (45/11), and 2018 (46/20), but in a similar niche to 2013 (33/24).

The position needed serious stability, which became a theme as the season started its slow death roll to last place. Social media, traditional media, and anyone interested in the Red Sox realized the obvious.

When Matt Barnes decided to crash and burn in the second half of 2021, he continued down the path in 2022, forcing manager Alex Cora to get creative. A lifeline was discovered in the sometimes starter and sometimes relief operation in Tanner Houck. Houck soon joined that long line that punched their ticket to the IL.

So who in house can take the ball in 2023? Should or can the team avoid tossing part of a sudden abundance of cash to a free agent? Make a dramatic trade? I’ll slim this down to the most obvious.

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