With Spring Training winding down, and the regular season around the corner, more and more Red Sox fans are wondering who will be getting the ball in the ninth inning to secure victory. Two issues are at play which Red Sox fans must come to terms with:
First, they aren’t getting back Craig Kimbrel.
Why? Because the team’s payroll is already at $235 million and they do not want to go too far over the luxury tax this season. They can’t be accused of pinching pennies since they already have the highest payroll in the games; which they also had last season. I understand the frustration, but they won’t go to 250M by signing Kimbrel.
Second, they really don’t have much room on their active team.
Remember, the ENTIRE team is coming back…except for Joe Kelly, who bolted for the Dodgers, and Kimbrel, who’s not re-signing, they are intact. That means that 23 of the 25 man roster is firmly in place entering Opening Day.
The starting five of Chris Sale, David Price, Rick Porcello, Nathan Eovaldi, and Eduardo Rodriguez are set in stone. The bullpen of Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier, Brandon Workman, Heath Hembree, and Tyler Thornburg are all under contract and seemingly breaking camp with the team.
A saving grace for the Sox may be the suspension of Steven Wright. Wright is suspended for 80 games for violating MLB drug policy, using a banned substance. The suspension will free up a roster spot for the team which should allow them to pick up some inexpensive bullpen help.
In looking at the remaining free agents on the market, the cupboards are somewhat bare, but there is one reliever I believe will be a perfect fit for the Sox….Lefty, Tony Sipp.
Sure, there are other relievers who are inexpensive options; names like Santiago Casilla or Fernando Salas, but they’re all righties. The Sox have zero lefty options in their bullpen, and Sipp is more than a serviceable option. The 35 year old lefty has had a nice little career for himself. He has a career 3.67 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. Opponents only hit .219 against him, and his K/rate is 9.57/9Inn.
He stands to be inexpensive: I’d be shocked if he signs for more than a couple million, or maybe a 2yr/5M deal. The Sox really do need a lefty, and they need another option who could close; and Sipp has 19 saves in his career.
Don’t be shocked if Dave Dombroski announces the acquisition sometime later this week…you heard it here first.
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