The Boston Red Sox bullpen has its flaws, but there are some viable pieces as well.
The Boston Red Sox haven’t gotten off to the start they planned as evidenced by the fact that they are looking up in the standings at the Orioles. Being 5-10 is hardly a death sentence, but with the Rays looking more impressive by the day and New York getting by despite the laundry list of injuries, it might be time to start being concerned.
This off season, everyone in the state of Massachusetts was calling for Dave Dombrowski to go get some relievers, especially after they lost Joe Kelly to the Dodgers and decided Craig Kimbrel (who is still available) was too pricey. Aside from making an upside play with Colten Brewer and getting Tyler Thornburg further away from surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, the Red Sox did not make any deals to improve their relief corps.
When you are the defending world champions and you get off to a bad start, especially in a place that expects excellence like Boston, fans are going to grill (and rightfully so) the front office and the owners for not making improvements. Has it been doom and gloom for the Red Sox bullpen? When your best pitcher has been Matt Barnes (who if you google search comes up as the ex-NBA player), that leaves something to be desired. It hasn’t been the best but there have been some bright spots and reason for optimism coming for the much maligned bullpen.