Red Sox Reportedly Converting Recently Acquired Hurler Into New Role
The Boston Red Sox have a fully revamped pitching development system from top to bottom after multiple marquee additions to the coaching staff.
With new leadership in place, there has been one trend that has been vocalized throughout the offseason. A hefty majority of hurlers are heading into the offseason as if they are starters, even those who seem poised for a bullpen role.
It caught many by surprise after the latest candidate to bulk up their workload came forward.
“They want me to come to spring training prepared to be a starter,” (Cooper) Criswell told MassLive’s Christopher Smith. “Just because it’s easier if they want to move me into a bulk role out of the bullpen or even a reliever. Obviously it’s easier to transition from a starter to a reliever rather than a reliever to a starter. So I’m going to be geared up, ready for spring training to go as a starter.”
Criswell was Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow’s first big-league signing as the leader of baseball operations. The 27-year-old has a 5.97 ERA in 37 2/3 career innings but posted a much more serviceable 3.93 ERA in 84 2/3 innings for Triple-A Durham last season.
Criswell joins Garrett Whitlock, Tanner Houck and Josh Winckowski as players who have come out announcing that they’re gearing up to start.
As Criswell said, any player who is not sure exactly what his role is, should bulk up on innings. It makes complete sense why Boston is taking this approach due to the lack of certainty regarding the rotation.
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Ex-Astros, Blue Jays Hurler Reportedly Available; Red Sox Are Logical Landing Spot
The Boston Red Sox still have some holes to fill this offseason.
Boston has made some intriguing additions, but there still is more work that needs to be done. The Red Sox desperately need to improve the starting rotation and it wouldn’t hurt to add another hurler or two to the bullpen.
The Red Sox’s bullpen certainly was better in 2023 than it was in 2022, but the club still needs to make a move or two this offseason.
One player who is available who could make some sense for Boston is former Houston Astros reliever Matt Gage. The 30-year-old reportedly was designated for assignment by the club and now is available, according to The Athletic’s Chandler Rome.
“Source: the Astros have DFAd left-hander Matt Gage,” Rome said. “They are expected to make the Josh Hader signing official pretty soon.”
Gage has appeared in just 11 games at the big league level over the last two seasons and has allowed just four runs over that stretch with a 20-to-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
He was selected in the 10th round of the 2014 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft by the San Francisco Giants and eventually made his big league debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2022. He joined the Astros ahead of the 2023 campaign.
Although he hasn’t had much time in the big league, he also has been impressive in the minor leagues throughout his professional career. Gage has a 3.97 ERA across 224 minor-league appearances.
If the Red Sox are looking to add to the bullpen still, Gage could be a very cheap option with upside. Why not take a chance on him?
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