Call to the pen
Fansided

Boston Red Sox: A Plan for Long-Term Success

By Joseph Romano

BOSTON - AUGUST 19: The Boston Red Sox introduced Dave Dombrowski as their new President of Baseball Operations during a press conference held in the State Street Pavilion at Fenway Park. Pictured are, left to right, John Henry, Tom Werner, Dombrowski, and Sam Kennedy. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON - AUGUST 19: The Boston Red Sox introduced Dave Dombrowski as their new President of Baseball Operations during a press conference held in the State Street Pavilion at Fenway Park. Pictured are, left to right, John Henry, Tom Werner, Dombrowski, and Sam Kennedy. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
(Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Step 1: Add Multiple Bullpen Arms

The Boston Red Sox could greatly benefit from the addition of two or more bullpen arms, one middle inning reliever, and a closer. The San Francisco Giants have a pair of lefties that should intrigue Boston, although analytics does not believe in the matchup game.

Tony Watson is a solid lefty who has never once posted an ERA eclipsing 4 and is a proven weapon against left-handed opponents. Will Smith can be the closer for them, having often worked in that role before throughout his career. However, the market for him will be full and therefore it would likely be the smarter play to opt for the equally productive and vastly less expensive Watson.

Two more options are Arizona’s Greg Holland– who has not been all that good- and Ken Giles, who could serve as a closer down the stretch and into the postseason.

The important thing here is to recognize that in order to have any shot at a Wild Card game- let alone advancing past one- they must make improvements to that bullpen. There are plenty more options out there – Nick Anderson, Sam Dyson, Alex Colome, and Mychel Givens to name a few.

Without similar additions, they will be plummeting with their hands tied. Deadline additions will provide them with a shot of adrenaline, in hopes of overcoming the 2-game wild card gap and overtake the final spot from Oakland or Cleveland.

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