Matt Barnes finished the season strong, provides motivation for 2023
After veteran reliever Matt Barnes signed a two-year, $14.75 million contract extension during the 2021 season, his career went sideways. The All-Star would be left off the Red Sox initial playoff roster and then started 2022 with a 7.94 ERA.
Barnes would eventually land on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation.
Following his return from the injured list, Barnes posted a 1.59 ERA and converted six of seven save opportunities. He ended 2022 with 12 straight scoreless appearances, including two against the Yankees and two against the Rays.
"He's done a good job for us, he's been consistent and he's willing to keep going out there. It really doesn't matter if he's fatigued or whatever, he's missed this game for a while and he's proving to a lot of people that he's capable of being a big league pitcher and can contribute,” said manager Alex Cora at the end of September.
The former 19th overall pick saw his fastball sit between 94-96 miles per hour and his curveball looked like vintage Barnes.
The former UConn product held opponents to a .238 batting average against his fastball. He threw his curveball (325 times)more than any of his pitches in 2022, opponents hit .266 but had an XBA of .216.
Even though his curveball looked back to form, Cora spoke highly of Barnes’ fastball.
"Everyone talks about the breaking ball but I think the fastball is the most important thing for him," Cora said. "Yesterday he showed probably his fastball since he came off the IL, the best fastball since that trip to Toronto last year. Good carry, good location, the breaking ball will always play but the fastball is good."
Barnes finished the 2022 season pitching in 44 games, converting eight saves, posting an 0-4 record with 34 strikeouts and A 1.44 WHIP in 39 2/3 innings.
The question heading into 2023 is what role will Barnes have in the Red Sox bullpen?
Barnes has a history of closing games but the likelihood that Cora and Chaim Bloom would let the right-hander close seems slim. Boston should kick the tires on closer options in the offseason.
Mets All-Star Edwin Diaz is the prized free agent closer on the market. The Red Sox will need to overwhelm him to get him from the Mets. Owner Steve Cohen’s deep pockets will play a massive factor in the club keeping Diaz in Queens.
Boston needs to address the closing situation in the offseason. In fact, the entire bullpen needs a major overhaul. Barnes $7.5 million salary is worth bringing back, especially if he can tap into his late 2022 stuff. Bloom could look to trade the reliever, but based off the last year and half, the odds of getting anything of value is slim. Unless Boston would eat salary to take on a better return, however with all the money off the books for the Red Sox, spending on upgrades makes more sense.
Barnes was better at the end of 2022 but the confidence level from the fanbase is low for the reliever. If the Red Sox can utilize Barnes as a reliever who can eventually work his way into higher leverage spots, that might be the better solution. The Red Sox should not look to use Barnes as the teams closer in 2023.
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