Red Sox Linked To Trio Of Intriguing Hurlers In Effort To Bolster Pitching Staff
The Boston Red Sox still appear to be a couple arms short of a complete roster with just a couple of weeks until players report to spring training.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has been almost completely silent on the free-agent front this offseason -- though plenty of premier free agents remain available.
"Boston continues to be in touch with free agents and has been in recent touch with right-handers Jakob Junis and Ryne Stanek, among others, according to industry sources," MassLive's Chris Cotillo reported Saturday. "It’s unclear if the Red Sox are at the front of the race on either pitcher or if either is close to signing anywhere."
Later in the post, Cotillo noted one more potential option for the Red Sox.
"Boston has also stayed in touch on former (Chicago) Cubs reliever Codi Heuer, who is familiar to chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and is rehabbing from a June surgery to repair a fractured elbow."
Junis has appeared to be a perfect fit for Boston all offseason. The 31-year-old fits into the multi-inning reliever/swingman role manager Alex Cora has utilized so often in years past.
The right-hander had a career year last season in part due to pitching coach Andrew Bailey's tutelage. With Bailey leading the pitching charge in Boston, Junis would have a strong connection to the team.
As if that was not compelling enough, the Red Sox hired Junis' brother Noah to be the Triple-A Worcester bullpen coach earlier in the offseason.
Junis posted a 3.87 ERA with a 96-to-21 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .269 batting average against and a 1.29 WHIP in 86 innings last season. His 109 ERA+ was the best of his career due to an uptick in chase, whiff and strikeout rates.
Stanek has been an impactful high-leverage reliever for the Houston Astros over the last few seasons and could improve an already impressive back of the bullpen.
The move also could trigger a trade of closer Kenley Jansen, potentially opening up payroll space for a free-agent splash -- likely southpaw Jordan Montgomery.
Stanek posted a 4.09 ERA with a 51-to-21 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .221 batting average against and a 1.24 WHIP in 50 2/3 innings last season.
A season prior, the right-hander recorded a 1.15 ERA with a 62-to-31 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .188 batting average against and a 1.23 WHIP in 54 2/3 innings.
While that season appears to be somewhat of a fluke, the 32-year-old has a 142 ERA+ over the last three seasons -- meaning he's been 42% better than league average over the aforementioned span.
Heuer, the final player Cotillo linked to Boston -- would be an intriguing addition after missing the last two seasons due to injuries -- following up Tommy John surgery with an elbow fracture.
The 27-year-old has a career 3.56 ERA with an 81-to-32 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .232 batting average against and a 1.20 WHIP in 91 innings. He showcased an impressive pitch arsenal before injuries mounted and would be a flyer addition who could eventually work his way onto the big-league roster.
Of the trio, Junis is the best fit while Stanek has the highest ceiling. None of them solve the team's biggest issue -- a need for a frontline starter. Until a more impactful signing is made, none of these moderate additions move the needle.
More MLB: Red Sox Reportedly Have Identified Potential Fit To Bolster Lineup
