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Potential Issues Brewing In Red Sox Bullpen Ahead Of 2024 Trade Deadline

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The Boston Red Sox have played themselves into playoff contention over the past month and a half, raising a .500 record to 53-42 before the All-Star break. That reportedly changed the organization’s trade deadline policy, at least for now, from on-the-fence to a buyer’s mentality. However, Boston came out of the break and was brutally swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers on the road. The offense struggled at times, but it wasn’t the biggest concern. Injuries and underperforming outings by their current makeshift pitching group creates a more scary sight. There are potential issues brewing in the Red Sox bullpen ahead of the 2024 trade deadline.

Potential Issues Brewing In Red Sox Bullpen Ahead Of 2024 Trade Deadline

Injuries Riddle Boston’s BP

The concerns regarding Boston’s current bullpen situation really started after the All-Star break. However, the initial signs that things could be difficult popped up before. The team had dealt with various injuries that affected the important group. Justin Slaten, who has a 3.38 ERA in just under 43 innings, hit the injured list on July 12 due to right elbow inflammation. Veteran Chris Martin, who has thrown over 26 innings, was placed on the IL for the second time this season on July 5. He posted an ERA of 3.42, but it’s slightly misleading. Out of his 26 outings, 22 were scoreless. Three three-run hiccups have raised his statistics, and, for the most part, he’s been extremely dependable. 

 

Those two going down led to the Red Sox being forced into multiple transactions. Cam Booser and Cooper Criswell were both recalled to the big leagues to help fill the void. Criswell usually appears as a starter, leaving a hole in the bullpen’s backend. Because of this, Kenley Jansen, Brennan Bernardino, and Greg Weissert had increased roles against the Dodgers.  

Jansen, at least for the upcoming series versus the Colorado Rockies, will be another option gone from Boston’s unit. The closer isn’t traveling with the team due to previous health issues while playing at Coors Field. He has had his heart shocked three different times after throwing in Colorado and doesn’t want to take more risks in potentially bringing back that issue. He made himself available in the final game of the Red Sox series against the Dodgers so that others could rest before his absence. His performance capped off an extremely disappointing, and worrying, three-day stretch for Boston relievers.

 

Red Sox Relievers Rocked In Los Angeles

Boston led both of the first two games entering the eighth inning. Starter Nick Pivetta threw six strong innings of one-run ball. Zack Kelly had no troubles in the seventh, but walked Miguel Vargas to begin the eighth. With one out, he was removed and Brennan Bernardino was inserted. He had only allowed more than a run once this season in a loss to the New York Yankees. Bernardino made it two times against L.A., allowing a double and intentional walk to load the bases. First baseman Freddie Freeman came to the plate and smacked a go-ahead grand slam. It was the Dodgers’ only runs of the night. An eighth-inning meltdown from one of the Red Sox most reliable relievers left them looking back on a loss.

The story stayed similar on Saturday. Boston led 4-3 in the ninth inning, prompting former Dodger and current Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen to enter the contest. The first batter was Kiké Hernández, who played over two years for Boston before being traded to Los Angeles. He crushed a 415-foot home run to tie the game. The Red Sox scored two in the top of the tenth, but the Dodgers returned the favor once Greg Weissert came in. Hernández came up clutch again against his former team and things were headed to the eleventh frame. Boston failed to score, Weissert remained in the matchup and catcher Will Smith walked it off with a single. After twice leading late in the game, the Red Sox came away with no wins.

 

Things Don’t Get Much Better

The final bout of the series was never really close, with L.A. leading by four after five innings. Jansen, who usually only comes in when Boston leads, pitched the eighth inning. He allowed three earned runs on as many hits. It capped off a disastrous three-game bullpen set. Against the Dodgers when pitching in the eighth inning or later, the Red Sox allowed nine earned runs over six innings. That’s good for a 13.50 ERA. Not great to look at as a member of the organization.

If you zoom out further, things continue to look bleak. Bernardino has a 22.50 ERA in the month of July. Jansen sits at 6.43 for the month and he’s allowed runs in three consecutive appearances. The veteran had previously allowed just one earned run from May 21 to July 7. And Weissert has a 5.21 ERA since the beginning of June and a 7.88 in July. If the club doesn’t get healthy, these are the guys that are going to have to improve to stay in the playoff race.

 

What Can The Red Sox Do To Help Their Bullpen?

Currently, there aren’t many internal options that Boston could use. Zack Kelly and Cam Booser have pitched very well this season, but neither are really used to high leverage situations. The Red Sox could test them out there, but there’s no guarantee they will respond positively. They combine for one save over nearly 70 innings of work. The best thing Boston can do right now is get Martin and Slaten back as soon as possible.

Another option is to dip into the reliever market ahead of the trade deadline. There are plenty of options with players like Tanner Scott, Carlos Estévez, A.J. Puk, and Andrew Chafin seemingly available. But that’s going to cost the Red Sox internally. Their biggest need is still starting pitching, and the recent developments have thrown another obstacle at the organization. Going out and getting a starter and a reliever now seems like a viable, and probably smart, move by Boston. But it’s going to take extra work than what was originally expected. Sure, you can bank on your relievers getting healthy. That’s not usually a smart tactic, though. Checking in on the trade market to try and help the current predicament should be something the Red Sox are thinking of as the July 30 deadline looms. Especially with the potential issues brewing in the Red Sox bullpen. 

Main Photo Credits: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

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