Red Sox Linked To Three-Time All-Star As Possible Option To Bolster Bullpen

Should the Red Sox consider signing the former All-Star?

Sep 12, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Brad Hand (45) throws a / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Red Sox have had some rough luck lately.

Boston was red-hot to kick off the 2024 campaign and was 7-3 through the club's first 10 games. The Red Sox now have lost two straight games against the Baltimore Orioles and have been dealing with some difficult injuries.

The Red Sox lost star shortstop Trevor Story for the rest of the season and starter Nick Pivetta also was placed on the Injured List. Even with the injuries, though, Boston overall has looked solid.

Boston's success mainly has come from having arguably the most successful starting rotation in baseball so far this season. The Red Sox have four starters with an ERA under 1.00 and have surprised people. Boston's bullpen hasn't found the same level of success as the rotation and could use some more depth.

There still are a few solid options available and one player who was floated as a possible option for Boston is three-time All-Star Brad Hand, according to Bleacher Report's Zachary Rymer.

"At his peak between 2016 and 2020, Brad Hand was a three-time All-Star who pitched to a 2.70 ERA and struck out 12.2 batters per nine innings," Rymer said. "Those days are over and have been over for a while. The 34-year-old lefty had it pretty rough over the last three seasons, with his ERA rising to 4.13 and his strikeout rate falling to 8.7 per nine innings. He was last seen having a brutal time with Atlanta in 2023, appearing in 20 games and giving up 15 runs...

"Joely Rodríguez is the only southpaw in Boston's bullpen, however, and opposing batters are 4-for-13 with a walk and a home run against him. The Red Sox thus need to be considering additional options, including signing Hand."

Hand may have struggled in 2022, but he has a 3.75 career ERA in 13 big league seasons. The Red Sox currently are thin in the bullpen. If the Red Sox wanted to make another addition, Hand could be a cheap, veteran option with upside.

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