The Red Sox will be in the market for a bullpen arm at the deadline. This year in particular has a strong class of non-rental relievers and the Red Sox could use some longer-term bullpen options. Expect Dombrowski to make some calls about these relievers:
Kyle Barraclough – Miami Marlins
Barraclough is the best reliever on the market since Blake Treinen will be staying in Oakland. Barraclough has a 1.28 ERA in 42.1 IP for the struggling fish. The right-handed closer would be a phenomenal addition to the Red Sox pen. With Matt Barnes playing extremely well (2.36 ERA in 42 IP) and Craig Kimbrel locking it down in the 9th (1.82 ERA, 29 Saves), the Sox could have a dominant three-headed monster at the back end. The best part of a Barraclough trade is that he is only 28-years-old and is under team control through 2021. He could replace Kimbrel as Boston’s next closer should he leave in free agency after next season.
Raisel Iglesias – Cincinnati Reds
Iglesias is another trade candidate that could replace Kimbrel should he hit free agency after next season. Raisel has a 2.41 ERA in 41 IP and has been a more than formidable closer, locking down 19 out of 22 save opportunities. Last season Iglesias posted a 2.49 ERA in 76 IP and converted 28 saves in only 30 opportunities. Adding the 28-year-old sinkerball pitcher would have a similar effect to Barraclough and probably cost a little less. Like Barraclough, Iglesias is a right-handed closer under team control through 2021.
Jared Hughes – Cincinnati Reds
Hughes is not been talked about nearly enough this season or over his career. Jared Hughes has a 2.69 ERA over 418 career innings pitched. This season Hughes has a 1.47 ERA in 49 IP this season and will be signed through 2019 with a team option for 2020. The Reds set-up man would have a similar role in Boston if moved. Hughes should be rather cheap as a 33-year-old reliever.
Kirby Yates – San Diego Padres
Yates is a right-handed set-up man who is currently 3-0 with a 1.47 ERA in 36.2 IP. He had 47 strikeouts and a 0.90 WHIP. Yates is 31-years-old signed through 2020 and would be a solid set-up man just a tier below the Barraclough and Iglesias.
Robbie Erlin – San Diego Padres
Erlin is an underrated relief option. His numbers don’t stand out initially with a 1-3 record and a 4.03 ERA. However, as a reliever he has a 2.44 ERA over 44.1 IP this season. Erlin is only 27-years-old and could serve as a solid relief option. Now I would not automatically slate him into a set-up role but could see him developing into a solid weapon. He is by far my least favorite option here but the most creative. Erlin is signed through 2020.
Lets Get Kyle Barraclough in a Red Sox uniform for years to come.
Scott Neville – Head Baseball Writer – WTF Sports
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