Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles, Rays: 1 July bold prediction for every AL East team
By Scott Roche
Bold prediction: Boston Red Sox DFA pitcher Corey Kluber
As has been the case under GM Chaim Bloom, the Red Sox took a flyer on Corey Kluber to be the No. 2 behind Chris Sale this season. Instead, he got the ball on Opening Day against the Orioles and things have gone downhill since.
Kluber has worked in 15 games this season, six out of the bullpen after nine bad starts, and is 3-6 with a 7.04 ERA. In 55 innings, he has 42 strikeouts, he’s walked 21 batters, and given a whopping 17 home runs. It started in the first game of the season against the Orioles when he served up a home run to Adley Rutschman, the second batter of the game, and the long ball has been his worst enemy since.
Kluber is currently on the 15-day IL with right shoulder inflammation. Say what you want, but this certainly feels like a move where the Red Sox are out of options, and hope the rest can help him turn things around. Boston needs him to turn it around, but it seems the 37-year-old will be able to do it.
The Corey Kluber IL discussion had to be a funny one.
— Steve Perrault (@Steve_Perrault) June 21, 2023
“Right shoulder inflammation sound good to you?”
“Yup, that works.”
Bloom needs to admit that signing Kluber was a mistake and that there were too many expectations placed on him. Pride aside, it just feels like they will DFA him before the trade deadline as it’s unlikely that will be able to move him in any trade.