Red Sox Have Shown Interest In Hard-Throwing High-Leverage Reliever

Boston is still in need of pitching staff upgrades

The Boston Red Sox have struck out on some of the biggest names in free agency thus far, but have shown interest in just about every big-name star available.

Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has gotten off to a slow start since his hiring with Boston, but things may be starting to heat up for the Red Sox. 

"The Red Sox have also been poking around on free agent reliever Jordan Hicks, per source," Beyond The Monster's Chris Henrique reported Thursday in response to a report of Boston's interest in right-hander Robert Stephenson and middle infielder Amed Rosario.

Hicks posted a 3.29 ERA with an 81-to-32 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .231 batting average against and a 1.36 WHIP in 65 2/3 innings pitched across 65 games between the St. Louis Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays last season. 

There is no question that Hicks would greatly improve Boston's bullpen, but it would likely come with a hefty price tag. The 27-year-old is one of the best available relievers on the market and has been rumored to have a "ripe" offseason coming his way. 

The Red Sox have a viable bullpen as currently constructed, so the club should be allocating their time and money toward constructing a better rotation -- but who says no to a stronger bullpen? 

So long as the rumored pursuit of Hicks doesn't affect the work that needs to be done on acquiring starting pitching, the fireballer would be a great addition in Boston. 

More MLB: Red Sox Have Done 'Significant Homework' On Free-Agent Starting Pitcher