Red Sox Free-Agent Fit Signs Elsewhere, Thinning Relief Pitcher Market

The top bullpen arm for hire is off the market.

Scott Neville | Nov 7, 2022

Red Sox Free-Agent Fit Signs Elsewhere, Thinning Relief Pitcher Market /

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Boston Red Sox

The easiest solution to fill the Boston Red Sox's vacant closer role no longer is an option thanks to some big spending on the first day of the exclusive portion of free agency.

The New York Mets and elite closer Edwin Díaz agreed to a massive five-year, $102 million contract Sunday according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

The deal includes a full no-trade clause, a player option after year three of the extension, and a $20 million club option for a potential sixth year.

The trumpet-loving closer had a remarkable year for the Mets. He went 3-1 with 32 saves in 35 opportunities, a 1.31 ERA, 118-to-18 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a .160 batting average against in 62 innings of work.

At 28-years-old, Díaz was by far the best free-agent reliever, both in terms of peak age and performance.

With Díaz off the table, the rest of the closer market is murky. There are some prominent names out there: Craig Kimbrel, Aroldis Chapman and David Robertson to list a few.

Unfortunately, the biggest names on the market gained their notoriety in the previous decade, leaving their best days in the rearview mirror.

Robertson is coming off a strong season, posting a 2.40 ERA with 20 saves on 28 opportunities, an 81-to-35 strikeout-to-walk ratio and an impressive .173 batting average against in 63 2/3 innings between the Chicago Cubs and World Series runner-up Philadelphia Phillies.

Unfortunately, he'll turn 38 in early April and could see a rapid decline in play. He'd be a better option than the rest of the in-house candidates (outside of Garrett Whitlock), but he wouldn't inspire a ton of confidence.

Kenley Jansen is another intriguing option that could make sense for the Red Sox's closer role, though he too is past his prime. The 35-year-old had a strong season for the Atlanta Braves, posting a 3.38 ERA with 41 saves on 48 opportunities, an 85-to-22 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and a .192 batting average against in 64 innings.

The other options are younger but have much less of a track record for success. With Díaz off the market, the eventual closer the Red Sox turn to will be somewhat of a gamble.

More MLB: Red Sox Reportedly Have Two Free Agents They Are 'Determined' To Re-Sign

Published Nov 7, 2022

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