Having added Nate Eovaldi and Ian Kinsler in the last week, the Red Sox could still acquire a reliever in advance of this afternoon’s trade deadline. Expect an active day of reliever trades, even after a flurry yesterday that saw Keone Kela, Adam Warren, Zach Duke, and Roberto Osuna change teams. The latest Red Sox bullpen rumors:
- The Red Sox asked the Giants about lefties Tony Watson and Will Smith, tweets Sean McAdam of BostonSportsJournal.com, but San Francisco is unsure about selling off those controllable assets. Though the Giants’ playoff chances appear remote, they are five games out in the Wild Card chase, close enough to stand pat. Watson, 33, inked a two-year, $9MM free agent deal with the Giants in February, which also includes a player option for 2020. He’s in the midst of his finest season in several years. Smith, 29, has emerged as the Giants’ closer and has been dominant since returning from March 2017 Tommy John surgery. He’ll be arbitration eligible one last time for the 2019 season before reaching free agency.
- Boston has also been linked to Marlins sidearmer Brad Ziegler, most recently by Jon Heyman of Fancred this morning. Ziegler seems likely to be dealt today; catch up on his rumor mill here.
Padresrebuild
Yates and stammen?
wiggysf
Wasn’t Watson signed for 2 years 4 million? I thought I remembered that he got 2MM per year
wiggysf
Either way a great signing
5TUNT1N
as a fellow giants fan, whats ur position on the deadline? we missing on additions by not dealing these guys? Our bullpen is a strength but it hasnt been for a few years. Id love to see them add by subtraction i some case but dont ever want to see the bullpen of 16 or 17 again so maybe keeping them is the best bet! at least since they seem fully opposed to commiting to a rebuild.. tough situation for giants fans being on the edge of contention in a decade where we feel no wrong could be done
Connorsoxfan
Ken Giles was also traded yesterday
Connorsoxfan
Ockimey, Ball, and pool space for Mychal Givens. Mark my words.
Kevin 23
How does Mychal Givens help this team? I would rather have Hector Velazquez on the mound besides Givens!
Connorsoxfan
He’s having a bit of a down year, but historically he’s been a good reliever, and he’s got some future control. He strikes me as one of those guys who won’t have a huge cost, but could end up paying off.
misterttt35
You do realize just how absurd this comment is. You’d rather have Velazquez come into a tight game instead of a guy like Givens who throws almost 100 MPH
skb678
Kevin seems a bit confused.
Kevin 23
Look at their stats and then talk!
jrwhite21
Look at their stuff though….I like Velazquez too but I’d love givens
Kevin 23
Wow, he throws hard! Big deal, every reliever throws 98 these days. Give me the boring guy that just gets people out, you can have the guy that has the big fast ball but can’t locate it.
Connorsoxfan
His career numbers are much better than what his results this season would indicate.
lamars
Sorry jrwhite, I’m with Kevin on this one. He has been an absolute stud up to this point. He pitched out of the pen, been long relief and starter for the Sox this year while posting solid numbers.
Connorsoxfan
It sounded to me like he was using that as an insult against Givens though. I’d rather have Givens than joe Kelly I think
tomrogic
fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=10430&posi…
baseball-reference.com/players/g/givenmy01.shtml
skb678
I was going to type that the O’s don’t use their international pool money, then looked and saw that’s what they received when they traded Brach.
But with Givens not reaching FA until 2022 I highly doubt the Orioles make that trade.
GaryWarriorsRedSoxx
Top-tier teams near the salary ceiling never, ever, never give away pool money. They go after pool money.
Connorsoxfan
They’re limited to 300k bonuses though.
Kevin 23
Ziegler is NO HELP to the Red Sox! They need a legit 7th/8th inning guy like Smith, Yates, Stammen, Watson, Barraclough, etc.
lamars
Umm hello.??? That’s exactly what Zeigler is, did you not see his role last year with the Sox?
GaryWarriorsRedSoxx
I don’t think Ziegler is that guy anymore
Kevin 23
He didn’t play for the Red Sox last year, it was 2 years ago. He is not the same pitcher anymore evidenced by his 4.38 era over the past 2 years!
lamars
You’re right, my bad., As of now he is and has been pitching like a 7th or 8th inning guy.
skb678
He has 0.64 ERA in his last 24 appearances, but it doesn’t matter anymore he’s going to Arizona.
TaylorLH
Beltre and Diekman for Cutter Crawford.
juvenoah
I’d go out and get a reliever like Yates who isn’t a rental or wait for feltman later in the year. I’d take a risk on him coming up September 1st to take a playoff roster spot over a guy like Velazquez or Pomeranz in the pen. The guy is dominating everywhere he’s been so far.
bheath33
Feltman? Who is that
Bruin1012
You will know soon if not this year then next year.
lamars
Please, As much as I would love for the Sox to trade for Yates. They just don’t have the necessary trade chips to do so.
juvenoah
Yeah. You’re probably right but the other bullpen additions from today weren’t exactly high priced. Feltman will have to do as the deadline has gone and nobody new is walking in.