Dodgers Call Up Polarizing Ex-Red Sox Hurler After Roller Coaster Stint With Club
The Los Angeles Dodgers called upon a right-hander who was released by the Boston Red Sox last month after a horrific start to the season, one everyone except for Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom could see coming.
"Dodgers are selecting reliever Ryan Brasier’s contract, The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya tweeted prior to Tuesday's game. "(Brasier) was signed to a minor league deal earlier this month after six years with the Red Sox."
Brasier has been one of the most hated Red Sox players over the last two seasons, purely due to performance. The 35-year-old posted a 7.29 ERA with an 18-to-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .286 batting average against and 1.57 WHIP in 21 innings for the Red Sox this year.
His numbers a year ago weren't much prettier, yet he was one of the few relievers to survive the mass bullpen overhaul this winter. He was horrendous for almost two months this season before Bloom finally pulled the plug.
The shame of it all is that Brasier could have been remembered as a clutch high-leverage reliever had Bloom not let him overstay his welcome.
Brasier was an integral part of the 2018 World Series championship roster, performing particularly well in the postseason -- 1.04 ERA with five holds in 8 2/3 innings across nine appearances after posting a 1.60 ERA during the regular season.
He also stepped up in 2021, when he played well upon returning from a serious injury and ended his season by pitching in four straight games without allowing a run to help Boston secure a Wild-Card spot ahead of their unexpected run to the American League Championship series.
Fans should try to remember how important he was for the two best Red Sox teams in the last few years, though it's hard to forget the shell of himself we saw to end his Red Sox tenure.
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