Hey, guys. The Red Sox won the World Series. Unfortunately, they have to try and win it again this year. You can’t live off just one World Series win. I’m not quite sure GM Dave Dombrowski’s aware of that. The last time he won a World Series (’97 with the Florida Marlins) his team was quickly dismantled the following year. However, that’s another story for another time.
Boston has made little to no moves this offseason. They’ve brought back World Series MVP 1B/DH/OF Steve Pearce and SP Nathan Eovaldi. Other than that, they’ve been quiet. Last year’s go to set-up man, Joe Kelly, was swept away by the Dodgers in free agency, and their closer, Craig Kimbrel, is still on the market. With Kimbrel saying he wants a deal worth $100M over six years, it makes sense that the Sox are keeping away from those negotiations. But, the team can’t just go into next year down two key bullpen arms.
There are some in-house ideas for the reliever spots, but there’s just hope there. Last season, the Red Sox promoted RP Ryan Brasier from AAA after a one-year stint in the Japanese minor leagues. Brasier came in and did a solid job – posting a 1.60 ERA in 34 relief appearances. In the postseason, he added on 8.2 IP and only one earned run. Brasier may be the guy for the job if the Sox aren’t happy with what’s going on in free agency.
The other option is Durbin Feltman. Last year, the 21-year-old was drafted in the third round of the MLB Draft out of TCU. In college, Feltman posted a 2.03 ERA in three years of closing. Many scouts suggested that he may be the first player in this draft to appear at the major league level. A fastball in the high-90’s and a power-slider will certainly help in the transition. The questions come about his durability (as someone who rose so fast to the MLB level) and his inexperience.
So, it makes sense to go to the reliever free agent market. The top two closers left are Craig Kimbrel and Adam Ottavino, and until Kimbrel lowers that asking price, he’s not coming in any time soon. We’re left with Adam Ottavino.
He’s put up a 3.41 ERA in his seven seasons in Colorado. There are some factors you obviously need to adjust those numbers to. Being at Coors Field, the most well-known hitter’s park, it makes sense to see his numbers dip just a bit. However, that dip will likely be more than countered by a switch from National League to American League and replacing the Pitcher batting for the DH.
As far as his pitches, Ottavino boasts an excellent one-two punch of a sinker-slider combo. The slider sweeps across quickly resulting in a lot of hit corners, and his sinker induces swinging strikeouts. His third pitch is a cut-fastball that can also dart back in and hit corners.
Check out this sequence against Cory Spangenberg last season (especially the fourth pitch):
This could be a really interesting arm to put in that set-up/late-inning relief role. Without guys like Kimbrel or Kelly, the bullpen is left with a lot of contact-out-guys. Ottavino could be the piece to get strikeouts and keep guys off the bases.
What it all comes down to is money. If Kimbrel is willing to come back to Boston on a one-year deal (because he’s not making that $100 million anywhere) then Boston should be more than willing to ride that train again. Many are projecting 33-year-old Ottavino to receive something around $35 million for three years. They should be able and willing to pay that if Kimbrel is gone.
The main point is – get one of them. Sure up the back-end, and compete for another World Series ring.