Boston Red Sox could still add another relief arm; Brandon Workman, Jeremy Jeffress, Chaz Roe among potential targets
Updated Feb 16, 2021;
Posted Feb 15, 2021
Tampa Bay Rays catcher Michael Perez (7) congratulates Rays relief pitcher Chaz Roe (52) after the Rays defeated the New York Yankees in a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020, in New York. It was the Yankees first home loss of the season. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)AP
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Even after adding four relievers to their major-league roster so far this winter, the Red Sox could still stand to add further bullpen help before Opening Day.
Boston has engaged in talks with multiple relievers in recent weeks, according to sources, and even after coming to terms with Japanese reliever Hirokazu Sawamura, could add another arm. The club is believed to have a little bit of room to work with under the $210 million competitive balance tax threshold and could look to nab one of the dozen or so relievers left on the free-agent m
Examining Boston Red Sox 2021 bullpen depth after additions of Hirokazu Sawamura, Adam Ottavino, Matt Andriese, Garrett Whitlock
Updated Feb 12, 2021;
Posted Feb 12, 2021
Boston Red Sox s Matt Barnes pitches during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)AP
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Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom has upgraded his bullpen this offseason after Boston finished 2020 ranked 27th in reliever ERA (5.79), 28th in reliever WHIP (1.64) and 28th in reliever batting average against (.282).
Boston had 23 pitchers and three position players make at least one relief appearance during 2020. Thirteen of the 23 pitchers no longer remain on the 40-man roster.
Boston Red Sox trading Andrew Benintendi frees up only $1.4M in payroll flexibility; will Chaim Bloom sign another position player before Opening Day?
Updated Feb 11, 2021;
Posted Feb 11, 2021
Red Sox s Chaim Bloom speaks at a news conference, Monday, Oct. 28, 2019, at Fenway Park. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)AP
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The Boston Red Sox freed up only $1.4 million in payroll by trading Andrew Benintendi to the Royals. That gives them slightly more flexibility to add another position player before Opening Day, but not much additional room.
Benintendi now will count for $2.8 million, instead of $5 million, toward Boston’s Competitive Balance Tax threshold in 2021. Franchy Cordero, the outfielder Boston acquired from Kansas City, will count $800,000 toward the CBT.
The Red Sox will be ready to make adjustments, but for now they are preparing to go to Fort Myers for spring training and play a full 162-game schedule.
Will Boston Red Sox prospects Tanner Houck, Bryan Mata begin 2021 at Worcester? Projecting who will play for WooSox during inaugural season
Updated Feb 12, 2021;
Posted Jan 27, 2021
Boston Red Sox s Tanner Houck winds up for a pitch against the New York Yankees in the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)AP
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Many uncertainties surround the Worcester Red Sox’s inaugural season in 2021. Will it begin on time in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic? Will fans be allowed inside Polar Park at any point this summer once the vaccine is available to the general public?