He’s got ace stuff and we saw him win 19 games in 2019. Ottavino is a 12-year veteran acquired in a January trade from the Yankees, with the Red Sox taking on nearly all of his $9-million salary in 2021. ⋅ Ryan Brasier: His walk rate soared the last two seasons, but Brasier did strike out 30 hitters in 25 innings last season and has a better adjusted ERA than Barnes the last three. The Red Sox don’t have a clear closer, and so that is the focus on this week’s staff roundtable. The Boston Red Sox haven't officially named a closer for the 2021 season, and it sounds like the job will belong to a few guys at first. April 23, 2021 at 6:07 pm Sports MLB Boston Red Sox. Every fourth or fifth day, he can summon Garrett Whitlock for two shutout innings. One of the most intriguing young bats in the Boston system, Dalbec hit seven homers this spring. Boston Red Sox-After losing closer Jonathan Papelbon to the Phillies, the Red Sox acquired Andrew Bailey, but late in spring training, he succumbed to a thumb injury and will miss much of the year. Bogaerts is the face of the franchise and is always worth watching. Honorable Mention: Chris Sale (what will he look like when he returns from Tommy John? (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images). … I’m happy that he challenged us.”. The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ Boston Red Sox closer Matt Barnes has tested positive for COVID-19 and won’t be ready for opening day. Red Sox reliever Adam Ottavino. Matt Barnes has gone 7-for-9 in save opportunities and posted a 3.60 ERA in 10 innings since the Boston Red Sox traded closer Brandon Workman to … ©2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Alex Cora must name a closer for the Red Sox soon Spring training is nearly done and the Red Sox have yet to name a closer for the 2021 season. February 27, 2021 at 3:11 p.m. Matt Barnes is the favorite to be the Red Sox’ closer this season, and he certainly wants it. The prize of the Mookie Betts trade had a solid first season in a Sox uniform, leading the team with a .308 average and 62 hits — 22 of which went for extra bases. Follow him on Twitter @PeteAbe. He strikes out a lot, but Dalbec is going to bring a lot of pop to the bottom of the order. It’s not ideal for your ace to be dealing with a dead arm before the season even begins. 2021 Boston Red Sox MLB Depth Charts updated daily with the latest transactions, roster moves, injury list, lineups, probable starting pitchers, and minor league players. It was hard to get into a 60-game season last year, especially with the Red Sox out of the hunt fairly quickly. Martinez. The Red Sox like what they have in Vázquez offensively, defensively and from a leadership perspective. But let’s look beyond the obvious. Filed Under: Boston Red Sox, Corey Kluber BOSTON (CBS) — With the MLB season reportedly set to start on time, the Red Sox have a short window … It’s an idea with merit, especially if a team has two pitchers capable of doing the job, but Barnes got beaten up facing the best hitters in the toughest spots game after game. Shaughnessy: Mercifully, this first look at the Red Sox in action was abbreviated. He certainly wouldn’t be unnerved by it, and closing also could increase Ottavino’s trade value come July. Great for the Yankees in 2019, he was not so great for the Yankees in 2020, with a 5.89 ERA and 1.582 WHIP. Hopefully that’s the Eovaldi the Red Sox get this season as their No. When Brandon Workman was traded last … The situation could have been an … He’s got a ton of raw power and a great arm in the outfield, but injuries and consistency are the biggest question marks with the promising young player. A great reliever for a decade in Japan, we’ll now see what he can do in MLB. Franchy Cordero with the Kansas City Royals during the 2020 season. He’s got a fresh start now in the Boston bullpen. 2021 Boston Red Sox depth chart for all positions. Barnes will be a free agent for the first time after the season, and a successful closer has much greater value on the open market. The Red Sox had a real lack of talent on the diamond last season. Red Sox finalize 2021 Opening Day roster. “I think structure, it helps.”, “We’ll go through spring training; we’ll make a decision and everybody’s going to be OK,” Cora said. We have encountered our first legitimate concern of the 2021 Red Sox season, and it is the bullpen. Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Adam Ottavino reacts after giving up a hit against the Baltimore Orioles during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 10, 2021, in Baltimore. 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