Red Sox Add Intriguing Depth By Reportedly Taking Chance On Veteran Fireballer
The Boston Red Sox reportedly made a depth move Wednesday afternoon.
Boston's pitching depth has without a doubt been tested. The Red Sox's starting rotation has been ravaged by injuries this season and the club currently is without two starters in Chris Sale and Tanner Houck. Boston has been forced to change players' roles, as well as call up multiple young hurlers in order to get by.
The Red Sox added more much-needed depth Wednesday afternoon as the club reportedly signed former Colorado Rockies pitcher Dinelson Lamet, according to MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo.
"Source confirms: Red Sox are adding righty pitcher Dinelson Lamet on a minor league deal, as the transactions log suggested," Cotillo said. "Lamet is a former Padres starter who struggled this year with COL and was DFA/released. Turns 31 next month. 4.61 ERA in 117 games (60 starts)."
Lamet likely won't play much of a role with the big league club but does have some upside if he can figure things out at the minor league level. The 30-year-old struggled to open the season for Colorado pitching to an 11.57 ERA across 16 total appearances, including four starts. He's a six-year MLB veteran who began his career as a starter, but was moved to a bullpen role in 2021 and has struggled since.
The best season of Lamet's career undoubtedly was the 2020 shortened campaign. Lamet finished fourth in the National League Cy Young Award voting as a member of the San Diego Padres as he pitched to a 2.09 ERA in 12 starts. The 30-year-old has struggled this season but was in the 70th percentile in fastball velocity and 88th percentile in fastball spin rate before being released by Colorado.
If Lamet can regain his form at the minor league level, his fastball is something that could be very intriguing. There's no way for sure to know what role he will play in the Boston organization. He's seen time as a starter and as a reliever, so he could do either. After a few seasons of struggles, he's a big if but could have some upside. If he's not able to regain his form, the Red Sox don't lose anything. Hopefully, he can impress with the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox and return to his 2020 form.
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