With the Boston Red Sox’s bullpen basically still in shambles, moves need to start being made. The Boston relievers are among the worst in the league statistically, and Daniel Bard’s week in the bullpen might not be a permanent move.
So who should Boston pursue for more help? Mike Gonzalez.
According to MLB Trade Rumors, Mike Gonzalez will be signing a contract within the next 10 days, and he was linked to Boston during the offseason. About a month ago, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe tweeted that the Red Sox had been monitoring Gonzalez.
Gonzalez, a crafty left-hander, appeared in 56 games last season between the Baltimore Orioles and the AL champion Texas Rangers. Combined, Gonzalez compiled a 4.39 ERA in 53.1 innings of work while striking out 51 and walking 21.
Boston currently has two left-handers in the bullpen in Franklin Morales and rookie Justin Thomas. Morales has a 6.00 ERA in six innings of work over seven appearances. In six appearances this season,Thomas has allowed four earned runs on nine hits in 4.2 innings.
Another Boston lefty, Andrew Miller, is currently rehabbing a hamstring injury and could return within the next week or so. Even with Miller back, does that make the bullpen that much better?
I’m not convinced.
When things go bad, which they have, change needs to happen. Signing Gonzalez would not be a huge risk for someone who could turn out to have a big reward.
The addition of Gonzalez would not only improve the bullpen, it would give us a sense that general manager Ben Cherington is willing to shake up this team and make changes when things aren’t going as planned.
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