I suppose it’s a double-edged sword to be the defending World Series Champions. Obviously, the team who wins it all, is loaded with talent and usually doesn’t need much heading into the new season.
That is the case for the Red Sox this season. They are returning the majority of their team and all of their starters and rotation. And Dustin Pedroia should be coming back…at some point.
Where they are lacking though, is in their bullpen. They lost Joe Kelly to the Dodgers, and have given zero indication they want to re-sign Craig Kimbrel. Earlier this week the Sox signed previously “suspended for life” Jenrry Mejia to a Minor League contract, and yesterday they made two more moves; seemingly to bolster their Minor League affiliate in Pawtucket RI.
They signed lefty, Dan Runzler and righty, Brian Ellington to Minor League deals. Runzler is a 33-year-old journeyman who pitched for the independent Atlantic League, Sugar Land Skeeters. Ellington was injured in 2018 with a bicep issue, and was terrible in 2017. At age 28 this is most likely his last shot to turn his carer around.
These moves, along with Mejia, are all uninspiring; and it’s a long shot that any of the three will crack the Big League team to make it out of Spring Training. As I posted before, at this time it appears Ryan Brasier will break camp as the Sox closer.
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