Ex-Red Sox Closer Linked To American League East Foe After Bullpen Struggles

Could an old friend join the division?

Will the best team in the American League East bolster their bullpen by adding a homegrown former Boston Red Sox talent with one of the most interesting careers in Major League Baseball?

The Tampa Bay Rays are known for their elite pitching staff year-over-year and are off to one of their best starts in franchise history with a 42-19 record. Surely, a team with their pedigree of pitching dominance and fantastic record would have an elite bullpen, right?

Surprisingly, the Rays rank No. 23 in MLB with a 4.38 bullpen ERA. One longtime Boston media pundit believes an old friend would be a logical fit.

"The Rays bullpen implosion Saturday afternoon tells us (Colorado Rockies right-hander) Daniel Bard could be an answer," MLB insider Peter Gammons tweeted. "Their starters have the fewest innings pitched per start in MLB, the pen (has) the lowest strikeout rate, saved by their defense. Bard will be 38 on June 25, but he's still (a power pitcher), and a perfect match."

Bard -- who began his career as an elite closer for the Red Sox -- started the season on the injured list with anxiety but has battled back and been nearly unhittable since.

The veteran has a 0.55 ERA with a .170 batting average against and 1.35 WHIP in 16 1/3 innings this season. His 12-to-13 strikeout-to-walk ratio is offputting but his overall production in the last few seasons would suggest that he will regain his elite command and strikeout rate. 

Last season Bard was 34-for-37 in save situations and has been incredibly clutch for the Rockies since restarting his career a few years back. This season Bard has yet to be placed in a save situation but has the pedigree to step up in big spots if needed.

Bard is in the first year of a two-year, $19 million contract, which could put Tampa Bay out of contention for the hurler unless the Rockies agreed to take on the bulk of his salary. If they make the money work, a trade would make a lot of sense.

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