Chaim Bloom looking to make an early-season trade to improve the club’s pitching?
The Red Sox have already completed their first series this season dropping 2-of-3 against the Yankees in the Bronx. One concern heading into this season was whether or not the Red Sox had enough quality pitching depth.
Boston has 15 pitchers on the active roster to begin the young season. Manager Alex Cora utilized every arm in the bullpen this weekend except All-Star Matt Barnes who is dealing with a back issue. Barnes is expected to be available on Monday to begin the club’s three game series in Detroit.
Despite having 15 pitchers on the roster, it doesn’t seem that all of his pitchers has his confidence.
In the season opener, Cora utilized Garrett Whitlock for two-plus innings of work. Whitlock threw 38 pitches on Friday and wasn’t available for the remainder of the series in the Bronx. The 25-year-old righty is Cora’s best option in the bullpen and will be relied upon heavily in 2022.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom has been focused on improving his club’s organizational pitching since he took over in 2019. Bloom has added a lot of pitching depth in the system and those arms have begun to contribute to the big league level.
While Bloom has added depth the club lacks one major component for the bullpen.
A closer.
Bloom spoke with Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic about adding bullpen depth to the club.
“It’s great to let the season play out and get more information,” Bloom told The Athletic. “But sometimes opportunities are there before you might have all the information, and you can make an impactful move — you can make it in spring training, you can make it in April or make it in May.
“If there’s an opportunity to do something we think is in our interest, we’ve got to be ready to do that at any point between now and the trade deadline.”
The Red Sox utilized Jake Diekman in the closer role on Sunday night. The 35-year-old lefty nailed down his 15th career save after striking out the side in the bottom of the ninth on Sunday Night Baseball.
The left-hander struck out Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Joey Gallo in the bottom of the ninth. After an 11 pitch at-bat against Judge, he made quick work against Stanton and Gallo.
Following the game, Diekman was asked if he wanted to be the closer of the Red Sox. “I don’t really give two shits,” said Diekman. Ian M. Browne of MLB.com asked the veteran hurler if he could quote him, Diekman responded, “Yeah, do it, I don’t really care.”
While Diekman may not care if he is the ninth inning option for Cora, the fanbase does and the closer vacancy is a major issue for a team that is considered a World Series contender.
Diekman, Barnes and Hansel Robles could be options for the ninth inning unless Bloom goes out and acquires a closer from another club.
It’s important to note that Bloom isn’t only looking any addressing the bullpen but the lineup and the outfield. On Monday a report from Mike Rodriguez of Univision that Red Sox have made contact with outfielder Michael Conforto.
The Red Sox have only played three games this season but it’s clear Bloom is laser focused on making upgrades to his club.
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