As the Boston Red Sox inch closer to Tuesday’s MLB trade deadline, the clock is ticking for the franchise to make or field calls that could potentially improve the roster in various areas, including the bullpen.
It’s clear the Red Sox have a legitimate chance at punching their first postseason ticket in the last three years, therefore, and with a now-committed manager Alex Cora — who agreed to a three-year extension — the commitment is apparent. Boston’s endured its fair share of regular season adversity, primarily in the injured list department, yet the team hasn’t used any of its setbacks as an excuse. The Red Sox entered the All-Star break with an American League wild-card position, and even despite their recent 1-5 slump since then, Boston isn’t a far stretch from reclaiming that spot.
Boston’s bullpen, which has logged a 3.90 ERA, ranking it eighth in the AL and 16th in MLB, could certainly use some improvement and depth. Fortunately, plenty of teams across the league are counting down the final days of their 2024 campaigns, positioned to open up the phone lines and sell to the playoff vultures.
Here are four relief pitching options the Red Sox could consider before the deadline:
Tanner Scott, LHP (Miami Marlins)
Scott was Miami’s lone representative at the All-Star Game in Texas, and has since remained among the most effective left-handed relievers in baseball.
The 30-year-old carried the red-hot momentum into the second half of the season, recording four saves while allowing zero runs with six strikeouts through the stretch. Scott’s already amassed a 6-5 record through 44 1/3 innings, a 1.21 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 51 strikeouts in 43 appearances for the Marlins. The sigh of relief (no pun intended) that adding an arm like Scott to Boston’s bullpen would provide needs no explanation.
Jorge López, RHP (Chicago Cubs)
López underwent a sour breakup with the New York Mets a few months ago before being designated for assignment on May 30, but that’s no reason to look past the right-hander.
In 36 games, López has gone 1-2 with two saves and a 3.00 ERA. He’s made six appearances in July, logging a 1.23 ERA in 7 1/3 innings pitching for a Cubs team sitting last in the National League Central. López, too, is an arm the Red Sox, and Cora specifically, is very familiar with.
“He was really good, the best I’ve seen him,” Cora said three years ago after a Red Sox-Orioles matchup against the then-Baltimore starter, per Joe Trezza of MLB.com. “I know this kid from back home (in Puerto Rico), and he was amazing.”
Scott Alexander, LHP (Oakland Athletics)
For yet another season, the Athletics are in turmoil as their countdown to being removed from Oakland to Las Vegas — and 41-63 record — makes the franchise the perfect seller.
Alexander is the ideal short-term southpaw rental for any postseason contender in search of depth. The 35-year-old has dominated left-handed hitters throughout the year, holding them to a .194 batting average and .226 slugging percentage. Alexander has recorded a 3.05 ERA in 25 appearances (20 2/3 innings) in Oakland — he began the season on the injured list with a left rib injury.
Yimi García, RHP (Toronto Blue Jays)
Boston could call its division rival up North in Toronto in search of a solid.
Garcia is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the season, and the 33-year-old has been elite in relief opportunities for the Blue Jays. The right-hander has logged a 2.70 ERA with five saves in 30 innings pitched, striking out 42 hitters.
Perhaps the Red Sox eye a second veteran piece alongside Justin Turner?
