Former Red Sox All-Star reliever finds a new home with the Washington Nationals
Former Red Sox All-Star closer Matt Barnes has a new home.
Barnes is finalizing a minor-league deal with the Washington Nationals, per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. The deal is currently pending a physical, according to MASNSports.com’s Mark Zuckerman.
Barnes was an All-Star for the Red Sox, he owns a 4.13 ERA, 1.355 WHIP and 47 saves across 10 big league seasons. He was instrumental in the Red Sox run to the 2018 World Series championship, locking down set-up duties in the bullpen.
Barnes signed an extension with Boston following during his All-Star campaign. Former chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom gave Barnes a two-year, $18.75 extension and then the wheels came off for the UConn product.
Prior to last season, Barnes was designated for assignment by the Red Sox and then traded to the Marlins for left-hander reliever Richard Bleier.
Barnes struggled with the Marlins, pitching to a 5.48 ERA in 24 games. He was shutdown with surgery on his left hip. The Nationals believe that Barnes is healthy and is without issues when throwing.
The Nats new reliever will compete in camp with Bleier, Derek Law (who was signed last week), Robert Gsellman, Luis Perdomo and Jacob Barnes (no relation). All of those relievers are on minor league deals.
“You can’t have enough. You really can’t,” Nationals skipper Dave Martinez said to reporters on his bullpen depth. “We’re looking at different guys, we’re talking to different guys that are still available. But you can’t have enough. … I’d like to have as many of them as possible.”
