3 former players who could follow Andrew Bailey to the Red Sox
The Red Sox have found their new pitching coach.
Alex Cora has a new addition to his coaching staff. The Boston Red Sox made their first big acquisition of the offseason by signing Andrew Bailey to be the team's new pitching coach.
Bailey, who was let go by the San Francisco Giants following the firing of Gabe Kapler and subsquent hiring of Bob Melvin, is well-regarded in most circles as one of the better minds in the sport when it comes to the pitching side of things.
While helping some of the Red Sox current players get the most out of their abilties, with such a need for pitching within the Red Sox organization, might Bailey be able to recruit some of his former players?
1. Andrew Bailey could recruit RHP Jakob Junis to the Red Sox
There's some debate among the Boston faithful about whether or not the Red Sox should prioritize help for the starting rotation or the bullpen. While a case can be made for both, perhaps the best way to bolster both areas at once is to sign a free agnt like Jakob Junis.
Junis, 31, enters free agency this offseason after a major league career split between the Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants. Junis' time in KC was defined by an ERA near 5.00 and an inability to consistently throw strikes.
Junis was released by the Royals after the 2021 season and latched on with the Giants. With Andrew Bailey as his new pitching coach, Junis began to turn a corner. In 2022, Junis' FIP dropped significantly, going from 5.06 the previous two seasons combined to just 3.65 in 2022.
Jakob Junis was able to pair that bounce-back season in 2022 with another strong campaign in 2023. The right-hander went 4-3 with a 3.87 ERA and 3.74 FIP while stretching his performance across 86 innings of work, including four starts.
Junis could be a terrific spot-starter for the Boston Red Sox in 2024 or be used strictly as a reliever. With a walk-rate of less than six-percent, Junis did a very good job of keeping the base paths clear last season, something that would fit in very well in Boston.
2. Andrew Bailey could recruit LHP Alex Wood to the Red Sox
Admittedly, there is some risk when it comes to pursuing Alex Wood. But that's true of almost every pitcher in Major League Baseball. However, Wood has been moderately healthy over the past few seasons, and at the right price, it may make sense for the Boston Red Sox to take a flier on the southpaw.
Wood has been around for quite some time. The former All-Star has spent much of his career on the West Coast - pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. But Wood also spent an injury-plagued season in Cincinnati as well.
The last three years have been relatively good for Wood. The left-hander posted a combined ERA of 4.41 and saw time as a starter and a reliever. Having a swingman like Wood in the rotation would allow Boston to bring along some of their more highly-coveted pitching prospects a bit more slowly.
The Red Sox could also choose to use a pitcher like Alex Wood as a piggyback starter - either on the front end or the back end in order to give manager Alex Cora three to four good innings.
Wood does a nice job of keeping the ball on the ground and keeping the base paths clear of free runners. At nearly 33 years old, he's not going to cost an arm and leg, and isn't as risky as swinging a deal for a pitcher through a trade either.
No, Alex Wood isn't going to be the Boston Red Sox Opening Day starter, but if he can eat some innings, bring a veteran presence to the clubhouse, and help Andrew Bailey convey his pitching philosophy to the team's young hurlers, this could be a valuable signing.
3. Andrew Bailey could recruit RHP John Brebbia to the Red Sox
John Brebbia grew up just south of Boston and went to high school in Sharon, Massachusetts through his junior year before transferring to Wellington High School in Flordia. Perhaps new pitching coach Andrew Bailey can help bring Brebbia back home.
The right-handed reliever was originally a late-round draft pick of the New York Yankees, but Brebbia's debut came several years later a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. Brebbia underwent Tommy John surgery in 2020, but has been part of the San Francisco Giants bullpen for the past three seasons.
Brebbia was cruising right along earlier this season, and owned an ERA just above 3.00 while routinely striking out opposing batters as a member of the Giants relief corps. Unfortunately, a Grade 2 lat strain in mid-June sidelined Brebbia for a couple of months.
The 33-year-old made 40 appearances in 2023 and was oftentimes used as an opener. If Andrew Bailey is going to bring that philosphy with him to Boston, having a reliable arm like John Brebbia might not be a bad addition to the Red Sox bullpen.
Brebbia led the league in appearances in 2022 and has a combined ERA of 3.47 over the past two seasons. If the Red Sox are anxious to bolster their bullpen, Brebbia should be a prime target this offseason.
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