Call to the pen
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Boston Red Sox: Offseason targets by position

By Matthew Lively

Sep 11, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox hat and gloves lay in the dugout at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox hat and gloves lay in the dugout at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Current Free Agents

October 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Koji Uehara (19) throws in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians during game one of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball game at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
October 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Koji Uehara (19) throws in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians during game one of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball game at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

The Red Sox won’t be losing too many players. David Ortiz will retire, so there’s one guy, but other than that, not too many.

Koji Uehara– Koji is a bit of a puzzle. He was the most dominant closer in 2013, especially during the playoffs. It seemed like he needed seven pitches to get through three batters. He had a great 2015 but then regressed a bit in 2016. A shoulder injury didn’t help his status, but he is 41 and that comes into consideration. The Red sox could try to wrap him up for another year, but it seems like his time in Boston may be over. Verdict: Make a tribute video and say goodbye

Brad Ziegler– Ziegler was a really solid addition for the Red Sox in July. He gave the Red Sox 29.2 innings over 33 games and had a low 1.52 ERA. He left 82 percent of all runners on base when he joined the Sox, something they had an issue with earlier in the year. He’s 37 but really resonated with Red Sox Nation. Verdict: Give him a one-year deal

Aaron Hill – At one time, it looked like Hill was going to trump Travis Shaw at third base. It never happened, and Hill wildly underperformed in Boston. He hit .218 with just five extra-base hits in 137 plate appearances. He had a negative win probability and just didn’t help the team enough. Verdict: Let him walk

Junichi Tazawa – Tazawa has very quietly been one of the better relief pitchers in the game over the last five years. 2015 and 2016 weren’t his best years, but he’s shown signs of an All-Star at times. He was instrumental in the 2013 World Series run, and it would be nice to have another returning arm in Boston. Verdict: Try to get him cheap after an off-year

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