Boston Red Sox: Trade Targets to Bolster the Bullpen

The 2018 World Series champions have struggled to find their footing this season, continually losing ground in the playoff race as the bullpen is in dire need of reinforcement. How can the Boston Red Sox shore up their relief corps as they attempt to defend the title?

It goes without saying that this season has not gone the way the Boston Red Sox have hoped. Last year they were the best team in all of baseball, finishing the regular season with an MLB-best 108-54 record that foreshadowed their dismantling of opposing teams in October en route to winning the World Series — the club’s fourth since 2004.

Evidently, a lot has changed with the turn of the calendar. After dominating throughout all of 2018, the Red Sox have played to a 46-41 record as they trail the New York Yankees by a stark 11.0 games in the American League East. Not only are they well out of the division lead, but also sit 3 games out of the Wild Card race with a trio of teams in their way for the second spot.

The Red Sox have some catching up to do heading into the All-Star break. In order to break out of this brutal championship hangover, they need to improve their play on all fronts, but especially one in particular – the bullpen. This is clear as the BoSox’ reliever ERA of 4.60 (9th-best in the AL) won’t cut it. Neither will 17 blown saves, which is tied for the most in the junior circuit this season.

If Boston strives to repeat as World Series champs or even advance to the postseason, it is imperative they improve their relief corps. Nathan Eovaldi will supposedly be thrust into the closer role upon returning from the Injured List, but who knows how that will work out — and besides, the Red Sox’ bullpen is in need of greater reinforcements regardless.

As a result, the Red Sox will surely be scanning the trade market to acquire upgrades to the bullpen, but who should they go after? Click through for three of the best trade candidates that would make a positive impact in shoring up Boston’s back end.

Trade Targets to Bolster the Red Sox Bullpen

#3: Nick Anderson, Miami Marlins

You probably haven’t heard of Nick Anderson before given he only has 35 1/3 big league innings under his belt pitching for the uninspiring Miami Marlins, but he’s been very impressive in his rookie campaign. Sure, a 4.33 ERA and 1.30 WHIP is nothing to write home about – once you scratch below the surface, however, is when you realize he has high potential.

Anderson’s ERA is inflated by two brutal outings in May, and his 2.73 FIP reflects that. In his last 16 outings, he’s pitched to the tune of a 2.51 ERA, receiving roughly 1.4 days’ rest between outings. This reveals that he’s been much better since a couple of mid-May scuffles, and is someone who can be called upon every other night without hesitation.

Aside from his recent success, the most intriguing figure by far is his strikeout rate. For every 9 innings pitched, Anderson is striking out 14.5(!!) batters; that’s the 5th-best K/9 mark in the Majors among qualified relievers.

Nick Anderson is certainly a bullpen piece the Boston Red Sox should target. His .210 batting avg. against vs LHH is remarkable, and is especially useful when Boston faces their lefty-heavy rival New York Yankees. Plus, Derek Jeter is known for giving away players for little in return, thus perhaps Boston could get him for a steal especially in comparison to the more high-profile arms on the market.

Trade Targets to Bolster the Red Sox Bullpen

#1: Will Smith, San Francisco Giants

Anderson and Watson would certainly fortify the Boston Red Sox’s relief corps, but neither really have what it takes to be trusted in the 9th inning. Sure, Eovaldi is supposed to be that guy, but if the club could acquire an arm who has already been closing games this year, that would certainly take the load off of the starter-turned-bullpen piece.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

Enter Will Smith, who has been lights-out when thrust into high-leverage situations this year for the San Francisco Giants. The Fresh Prince of the Bay Area has gone a perfect 22-for-22 in save opportunities. That impressive feat, along with a 0.79 WHIP that stands as the second-best mark in the senior circuit among qualified relievers, is why the 29-year old earned his first career All-Star nod — not to mention that he’s the best player on a team full of incompetents, but we’ll stick with the first part.

Along with his impeccable save percentage, Smith is on pace to achieve career-bests in ERA (2.10), H/9 (5.0), K/9 (13.9), ERA+ (204) and K/BB (6.63). Plus, his 1.96 FIP suggests he’s pitching better than his ERA suggests. He also attacks lefties (and righties), posting a 19/1 K/BB rate and against left-handed batters, who have mustered a mere .465 OPS against him. This appears like a pitcher who would be more than capable of locking down the end of games for Boston and certainly turn around their putrid save percentage.

Smith has become a very coveted trade chip, and as I mentioned previously the St. Louis Cardinals will be going after him among other clubs.

In fact, Smith may be the most desirable reliever available. He’s an impending free agent who is relatively inexpensive on a $4.23 million contract, thus the Boston Red Sox won’t have to give up too much for two months of him like they would a Ken Giles who has an additional year on his deal.