After losing to the Milwaukee Brewers, 8-6, on Monday night at Fenway Park, the Boston Red Sox dropped to an MLB-worst 2-8. Things are so bad right now that fans are chanting for ownership to sell the team.
There are several reasons why manager Alex Cora can point the finger at his team for losing 10 of their first 10 games. Starting pitching woes, a struggling offense, and the bullpen not able to finish games. You name it, it’s been an issue.
Boston’s bullpen has been used a lot, and getting the ball to the backend has been an issue. Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow might need to make some changes from outside of the organization. If that’s the case, there is an intriguing free agent option they could consider.
Boston Red Sox Linked To Free Agent Relief Pitcher Michael Kopech
When a team like the Red Sox is struggling, the bullpen can pick up the rest of the team late in games. Right now, in the late innings of games, they are not getting the job done. In Monday night’s loss, Danny Coulombe allowed inherited runners to score as Milwaukee took a 4-3 lead in the top of the fourth inning. It was a rough night for starter Brayan Bello.
Garrett Whitlock returned from paternity leave Monday night. He was tagged with the loss after allowing two runs in the top of the eighth. If Breslow is looking to make changes, one option is current free agent Michael Kopech. Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report listed some potential landing spots, and one of those was Boston.
“Despite some bright spots here and there, Michael Kopech’s career has yet to fully launch. And if it’s a question of why he’s still a free agent, you probably have to look no further than his injury history,” Rymer wrote.
The last thing the Red Sox need is another pitcher with injury history, but there is no doubt the talent is there. After beginning his career as a starter, he transitioned to a relief pitcher with the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. When he’s healthy, he can hit 100 mph.
“However, we’re still talking about a guy who touched 101 mph last year. And because he gets good extension out of his 6’3”, 220-pound frame, his heat comes in looking even hotter than what the radar gun says,” Rymer added.
Boston Red Sox Searching for Answers 10 Games Into the Season
It’s only the first full week of April, but things seem on the brink of going completely in the wrong direction in Boston. A start like this can set the tone for a rough season. Whether it’s offensively or defensively, something needs to change. That includes the starting pitching or the bullpen.
Last season for the Dodgers, he pitched in 14 games because of injuries, but those 11 innings were effective. He had 12 strikeouts and allowed just six hits. He walked 13 batters and finished with a 2.45 ERA. Rymer called him the most high-reward free agent left standing, but the risk of him signing is minimal.
At this point, the Red Sox should try anything. It can’t hurt, as there is nowhere to go but up. If they are going to go up, solidifying the bullpen is an area they could start with.
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