Red Sox add high-leverage relief help in deadline day trade with Reds

In the final hours before the MLB trade deadline, Craig Breslow has acquired help for the Boston Red Sox's struggling bullpen.

The Red Sox have traded for right-handed reliever Lucas Sims from the Cincinnati Reds. Boston will send righty pitcher Ovis Portes to the Reds in return. Portes is 19 and reached Single-A in the Red Sox organization this season. The Sox have designated lefty pitcher Brandon Walter for assignment to accommodate Sims on the 40-man roster.

Sims is a high-leverage, backend reliever who should serve the Red Sox well in Chris Martin's absence. He's pitched to a 3.57 ERA with 40 strikeouts and 20 walks in 35.1 innings. Sims is an impending free agent.

The 30-year-old carries a fifth-percentile walk rate, but his chase, whiff and strikeout rates are all near or above the top quarter of the league. According to Rob Bradford of WEEI, Red Sox scouts noted some command issues on Sims' pitches, but the team believes he's trending in the right direction. He's posted a 2.25 ERA over his last 30 appearances across 24 frames.

Red Sox trade 19-year-old pitching prospect to Reds for righty reliever Lucas Sims

Portes was ranked as the Sox's No. 29 prospect in Baseball America's latest rankings. He posted a 2.12 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 34 innings. According to SoxProspects.com, it's unclear if Portes has starter potential, but he carries "standout velocity for his age."

Boston's trade for Sims improves the bullpen with Martin and Justin Slaten on the shelf with elbow inflammation. He'll be a solid setup for Kenley Jansen in the closer spot.

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