Going into the 2019 season, the Red Sox had a clear weakness. Going into the deadline, they had the exact same issue. Instead of addressing the black hole that is the bullpen, President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski decided to sit back and enjoy the show.
Relievers were dealt left and right. Detroit’s Shane Green, arguably the most sought-after reliever on the market, was sent to the Braves, furthering their claim as a top team in the National League. While the Giants’ Will Smith and Mets’ Edwin Diaz didn’t move, other names changed organizations including Sam Dyson, Roenis Elias (former Red Sox), Sergio Romo, and more.
I understand that the Sox farm system has been depleted. They have just one prospect in the Top 100 – Triston Casas. At the same time, there were still the “lesser” names on the move that that Boston were supposed to be going after that wouldn’t have required top-level prospects.
But, again, Dombrowski decided to stay away from the trade market. He’s plenty confident in his team. The 63-year-old said, “If we’re going to make it, it’s going to be the guys in the clubhouse. That is the case. We could add pieces to that but we have a very talented big-league club.”
He went on to discuss how teams “called about our bullpen guys.” Dombrowski is implying that teams were knocking down the door to try and grab guys like Josh Taylor, Colten Brewer, Matt Barnes, or Marcus Walden. I just can’t believe that to be the case. The four have combined to blow 10 saves and give up 74 earned runs over 165.2 innings pitched, good for a 4.01 ERA. That ERA is okay, but it’s not good enough to have people lining up on Landsdowne to inquire about their availability.
I’m not mad. I’m disappointed. The Red Sox have a very clear need, and it’s been the only need for a while. They’re fighting for every inch to gain ground in the playoff race. At the deadline, they sit nine games out of first place in the AL East and two games out of the second Wild Card spot. Their competition (besides the Yankees) made moves. The Indians (first WC) brought in Yasiel Puig, the Atheltics (second WC) acquired Tanner Roark, and the Rays (third in WC race) traded for Jesus Aguilar.
Dave Dombrowski, technically, isn’t wrong. The Red Sox can contend down the line with this team. Their rotation needs to perform better. However, it’s not just the bullpen anymore. Consistency is required from guys like Chris Sale and Rick Porcello who have been anything but. And, the bullpen seems to be what it is. There’s no shutdown guy. They thought Barnes could be that, but he’s not. With 19 blown saves this season and no end in sight, it could be a long road for Boston during the second half.
In reality, it doesn’t matter anyway because the Astros just decided to take the league by their manhood. Houston was already a favorite to make it out of the American League. Then, on Deadline Day, they went out and acquired another ace in Zack Greinke. Their starting rotation is now led by the three-headed monster of Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke, and Gerrit Cole. That should scare anybody that has sees the Astros on the schedule.
So, I guess now we just wait out the remainder of the season until we see a rematch of the 2017 World Series with the Dodgers and Astros facing off for all of the glory.
I still would’ve like to have seen Dombrowski address the ONE CLEAR NEED he had to address. Instead, it’s “Ho hum. Nothing to see here. We’ll just turn it around when we need to.” Way to go Red Sox. Way to take the 2018-19 Celtics approach. It worked out very well for them.