Boston Red Sox still have shopping left to do
By David Hill
The lockout may be happening, but that does not mean that teams are done plotting their next moves. The Boston Red Sox had made a pair of moves in the hours before the labor stoppage, inking Rich Hill to a one year deal and making a surprising trade to bring Jackie Bradley Jr. back for Hunter Renfroe.
With their earlier moves to add Michael Wacha and James Paxton, the Red Sox have made drastic changes, at least to their pitching staff. However, they are not done, especially when it comes to adding arms to the bullpen.
Bloom: 'We still would like to add more pitching. ... Short relievers, that's something we have yet to address in meaningful fashion." He adds, "I still think we have room to add position players," suggesting a righthanded bat might be particularly intriguing.
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) December 2, 2021
Boston Red Sox still have work to do
It makes a great deal of sense that the Red Sox would be looking to bolster their bullpen. Matt Barnes had been their closer, but lost his grasp on that role late last season. His struggles down the stretch led to his being left off the postseason roster. Their other relievers were not able to handle that role either.
light. More Red Sox. Wacha adds needed depth to rotation
This leaves the Red Sox with a few possible needs once the offseason begins again. They need an upgrade for the ninth inning, although the options left in free agency are hardly inspiring. There are, however, quite a few solid relievers left, which could help solve some of their issues in the late innings.
The desire for a right handed bat would seemingly take the Red Sox out of the Kyle Schwarber sweepstakes. It is also fair to wonder how much of a concern that would still be given Bradley’s return. Enrique Hernandez, who had been the Red Sox primary center fielder by default last year, would be able to slide back into his utility role, giving Boston that right handed hitter off the bench.
As the AL East continues to become more difficult, the Red Sox will need to do more to keep pace. Improving the pitching staff, especially in the wake of the Blue Jays’ own additions, will be vital. Since the Red Sox appear to have taken a step back in that regards, it makes sense that they still have plenty of items on their shopping list.
Next. Cora staying for two more years. dark
The Boston Red Sox still have plenty of work to do. Their shopping list is nowhere close to being complete if they want to contend in 2022,