Former All-Star and World Series Champion Reliever to Throw For Teams Before Spring Training
Recently, we heard that former dominant closer Ken Giles is throwing for teams in an attempt to land a job before spring training.
Well, it's not just him. Former All-Star reliever Matt Barnes is allegedly set to do the same.
Per Jon Morosi of MLB.com:
Free agent RHP Matt Barnes, a 2021 All-Star, is likely to throw for @MLB teams within the next week. Barnes is coming back from an offseason hip procedure; with his World Series experience, he could be a wise addition for teams needing bullpen help.
The 33-year-old Connecticut native is a 10-year veteran who made the All-Star team in 2021. He spent the first nine years of his career with the Boston Red Sox, helping them win the World Series in 2018, and then spent 2023 with the Miami Marlins.
Barnes has had an interesting career arc. He was an extremely useful reliever for Boston from 2016-2019, appearing in at least 62 games every season. Then, in 2020, he became the team's primary closer. He had a great first half of 2021, signed a contract extension, and then dropped off precipitously.
He went 0-4 for Boston in 2022, lost his closers job and had a 431 ERA. He had a 5.48 ERA in an injury-shortened 2023 for Miami.
With the bullpen market always being so volatile, there's no way to know exactly what Barnes will be moving forward. He's always had good velocity and an excellent curveball, so perhaps he can unlock it all again and be beneficial to someone who takes the chance.
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