The Red Sox bullpen woes of this past season were largely a result of an underperforming rotation, but the club certainly could have benefitted from another reliable reliever, one with closing experience.
Matt Barnes and Brandon Workman did their best in new situations as the primary candidates for high-leverage spots. But for next season, adding an arm or two to the bullpen will be a priority.
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Two top tier closers, the Dodgers’ Kenley Jansen and the Yankees’ Aroldis Chapman, can opt out of massive contracts this winter, but given the uncertain market for closers over the last few winters (hello, Craig Kimbrel) it’s likely both will remain with their clubs and keep their guaranteed money. That’s especially true for Jansen, whose mediocre season and postseason struggles have led to questions about whether he’ll even be the Dodgers closer next year.
Meanwhile, given the Red Sox’s desire to tighten their payroll, they aren’t likely to be pursuing a closer with an $18-20 million annual salary. They will more likely seek experienced relievers either via free agency or trade to supplement their existing group.
For now, let’s take a look at some free agent relievers with closing experience who could provide a boost to Boston next season:
RHP Sergio Romo
• Stats: 3.43 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 9.0 K/9, 2.5 BB/9, .221 BAA (batting average against), 20 saves
• Salary: $2.5 million
Romo, who turns 37 in March, has at least 20 saves in four of his 12 seasons, and had 25 for Tampa in 2018. He spent the first half of 2019 as closer in Miami before being traded to Minnesota just before the deadline. For the Twins, Romo took on more of a setup role (mainly in the eight inning) in front of closer Taylor Rogers. Romo’s range of experience could be a boost for the Red Sox, and he has a reputation as a good clubhouse guy.
Romo is likely due for a salary increase, but it’d still be manageable for the Red Sox.
RHP Daniel Hudson
• Stats: 2.47 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, 3.3 BB/9, .210 BAA, 8 saves
• Salary: $1.5 million
Hudson, who turns 33 in March, is experiencing a career renaissance, and has been an important part of Washington’s World Series run. Hudson began the season with the Blue Jays, posting a 3.00 ERA and 9.0 K/9 over 45 appearances in late-inning relief before being traded to the Nationals at the deadline. Washington transitioned him into the closer’s role and he posted a 1.44 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 8.3 K/9, 1.4 BB/9 and six saves in 24 appearances. Entering this season, Hudson had only nine saves over nine seasons. Now he’s locked down that closer spot and, with 5.2 scoreless innings pitched in these playoffs, has delivered a very effective postseason. Sometimes postseason bullpen success doesn’t translate to the regular season, but Hudson will likely garner significant interest.
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RHP Hector Rondon
• Stats: 3.71 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 7.1 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, .242 BAA, 0 saves
• Salary: $4.5 million
Rondon, who turns 32 in February, is coming off a two-year, $8.5 million deal with the Astros. Rondon had 15 saves for Houston in 2018, but the closing duties went to Roberto Osuna this season. Rondon spent the first five years of his career with the Chicago Cubs where he tallied 29, 30 and 18 saves in three consecutive seasons, including one as the Cubs’ primary closer in 2016 when they won the World Series. As the Red Sox aim to revamp their pitching approach this winter to keep up with the advances made by the Astros and Dodgers, Rondon’s past two seasons in Houston can’t hurt.
LHP Will Smith
• Stats: 2.76 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 13.2 K/9, 2.9 BB/9, .196 BAA, 34 saves
• Salary: $4.225 million
Smith, 30, had a breakout year in his first full season as a closer for the Giants after taking over the role midway through 2018, when he finished with 14 saves. Smith missed 2017 with a torn UCL, but came back a different pitcher. Though he doesn’t have a lengthy track record of closing success, he had a dominant season and will likely garner a lot of interest this winter.
RHP Greg Holland
• Stats: 4.54 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 10.3 K/9, 6.1 BB/9, .198 BAA, 17 saves
• Salary: $3.25 million
Holland, who turns 34 in November, has tallied 40 or more saves three times, most recently in 2017 with the Rockies. After a rough start in 2018 when the Cardinals cut him, Holland signed with the Nationals and posted an 0.84 ERA over 24 appearances. This year, he started with the Diamondbacks and was released in August, and his high walk rate was an issue. He joined the Nationals on a minor league deal but never got a call-up despite posting a 1.00 ERA over eight appearances in Double-A. Holland has experience and the potential seems to still be there. It could be a low-risk, high-reward type of signing.
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RHP Fernando Rodney
• Stats: 5.66 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 9.3 K/9, 5.3 BB/9, .269 BAA, 2 saves
• Salary: $5.25 million
Rodney, who turns 43 in March, always feels like a wild card as a closer with stretches of success matched by periods of disappointment. Nevertheless, he’s second only to Kimbrel among active relievers with 327 career saves over 17 seasons. Rodney began the season in Oakland, but was released after posting a 9.42 ERA in 17 games. Washington signed him shortly thereafter and in 38 games for the Nationals, he’s posted a 4.05 ERA and 9.5 K/9, mainly serving as their set-up man in the eighth inning. Last season he tallied 25 saves for the Twins before a trade to Oakland.
(Photo of Smith: Sergio Estrada-USA Today)