Reds Breakout Star Could Be Perfect Fit To Bolster Red Sox's Bullpen At Trade Deadline

Boston could use some veteran bullpen help

Scott Neville | Jun 22, 2024

Apr 19, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Buck Farmer (46) shakes hands with catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) after the victory over the Los Angeles Angels at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports / Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

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The Boston Red Sox appeared to be headed toward selling at the July 30 trade deadline but after a strong push, are shaping into American League Wild Card contenders.

If that's the case, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow will have to find ways to improve the roster as much as possible without giving up top tier future assets.

While many will call for help in the rotation -- which will be heavily considered -- it might also be wise to make a less notable but still impactful trade for another high-leverage reliever.

One player who could help is in actively playing against the Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds right-hander Buck Farmer.

The 33-year-old has a 2.48 ERA with a 25-to-14 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .225 batting average against and a 1.26 WHIP in 32 2/3 innings this season.

Farmer is an impending free agent who could be paired with Kenley Jansen, Chris Martin and Justin Slaten at the back of the bullpen. His 4.06 FIP is something to monitor but his production early on has exceeded expectations.

The 36-39 Reds are just 1 1/2 games back in the laughably weak National League Wild Card race but should they fall further down the standings, Farmer almost certainly will be moved for what would be a modest prospect compensation package that Breslow could stomach.

Farmer's teammate, Brent Suter (3.46 ERA in 39 innings) could be monitored as well should Boston target left-handed relievers.

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Published Jun 22, 2024

SCOTT NEVILLE

Scott Neville covers the Boston Red Sox for Sports Illustrated's new page "Inside The Red Sox." Before starting "Inside The Red Sox", Neville attended Merrimack College, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media with a minor in Marketing. Neville spent all four years with Merrimack's radio station WMCK, where he grew as a radio/podcast host and producer. His propensity for being in front of a microphone eventually expanded to film, where he produced multiple short films alongside his then-roommate and current co-worker Stephen Mottram. On a journey that began as a way to receive easy credits via film classes, he received a call from "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" star Charlie Day. Day advised him to make a feature-length film, which he completed his senior year. While writing the film, Neville completed an internship for United Way as part of their NFL Partnership Program. Neville ran the blog for a team of interns and hosted an internet show called "United Way's NFL Partnership Series" where he interviewed NFL alumni. After college Neville wrote for SB Nation's "Over The Monster," a Red Sox sister site of the flagship brand. His work would eventually lead him to a job as a content producer with NESN, where he would cover all sports. After developing as a writer with the top regional network in the world, he was given the opportunity to join the Sports Illustrated Media Group in his current endeavor as the publisher of "Inside The Red Sox." The successful launch and quick rise of "Inside The Red Sox" led to Neville joining the Baseball Essential ownership group, a national baseball site under SIMG. Follow him on Twitter: @ScottNeville46 Email: nevilles@merrimack.edu