Boston Red Sox desperation leads to Carlos Martinez

To call the Boston Red Sox pitching staff a disaster would be an understatement. Their best option for the ninth inning, Garrett Whitlock, was moved into the rotation as a necessity. Matt Barnes, the presumed closer, has been the equivalent of dousing a fire with kerosine. Other pitchers that were expected to be key parts of the bullpen have struggled mightily. Add that ineffective bullpen to a disappointing offense and a rotation that is three arms deep at this point, and it is easy to see why the Red Sox have been such a disappointment.

It is also easy to see why the Red Sox would be desperate for any arm that could be an upgrade. That quest has led to Carlos Martinez, who has signed a minor league deal with the franchise.

Carlos Martinez the latest hope for Boston Red Sox

Martinez has not pitched at any level thus far in 2022 as he is still recovering from the thumb injury that ended his 2021 campaign. He was not exactly stellar prior to his season ending, as he posted a 6.23 ERA and a 1.372 WHiP in his 82.1 innings, walking 36 batters with 57 strikeouts.

However, Martinez was a solid pitcher prior to 2020. He was a two time All Star as a starter before being converted to the bullpen. During his one season as a reliever, he emerged as the Cardinals’ primary closer. As Martinez had displayed the potential to be solid in shorter stints, he may end up permanently in a relief role.

That fits the Red Sox biggest need. While it is highly improbable that Martinez would emerge as their closer, stranger things have happened. If his thumb is healthy, and he shows anything close to the form that made him one of the better pitchers in the game a few years back, he could be part of the solution this season.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. For the Boston Red Sox, that includes signing Carlos Martinez to a minor league deal as they hope for something.