Red Sox Loosely Linked To Marquee Hurler Coming Off Three-Year Stint With Yankees
The Boston Red Sox are in desperate need of a retooled pitching staff this offseason.
While the focus remains on the rotation, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has made some solid moves to bolster the bullpen.
The depth of the pitching staff is in a much better position after some nifty trades but there is one addition that could go a long way -- a high-leverage southpaw.
Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin will resume their roles as a power tandem in the back of the bullpen but could use a left-hander to join the ranks.
Brennan Bernardino is the only true left-handed reliever on the roster, who was a diamond in the rough last season. Someone with a little more pedigree would be a perfect addition alongside the breakout star from a year ago.
There is one option that perfectly fits the description. Former New York Yankees reliever Wandy Peralta would be a fantastic addition to the Red Sox's bullpen, as noted but MassLive's Sean McAdam on Friday.
Peralta posted a 2.83 ERA with a 51-to-30 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .190 batting average against and a 1.22 WHIP in 54 innings last season.
The 32-year-old free agent is one of the best left-handed relievers in Major League Baseball after posting a 2.82 ERA across three seasons with the Yankees.
Breslow already has added some intriguing young depth options with potential to develop into impact arms. Throwing a proven stud into the mix would further solidify the Red Sox's bullpen as one of the best in the American League.
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