Boston Sports Extra

There are changes coming to the 2019 Red Sox Bullpen. Yesterday I took a look at Joe Kelly. The biggest piece, closer Craig Kimbrel, is today’s focus.. Is he worth paying to keep and what are some options out there?

Craig Kimbrel

In 2017 Craig Kimbrel was the 800 lb gorilla of all time Red Sox closers. 5-0 with 35 saves and a 1.43 ERA. If he had been given more opportunity I’m sure he would’ve had even more saves.

Using a 3 year average is an attempt to have some perspective, but in Kimbrel’s case the 2017 season has a massive effect. Because Kimbrel’s three year stats are, frankly, amazing: 14.8 K/9 and a 2.52 ERA.

Even then though, the walks show through: 3.8 per 9 innings. That’s a lot of base runners. When he’s on his game and striking out the world, it works. When he’s not, let’s just say Alex Cora going with Chris Sale to close out game five says a ton. And Kimbrel giving up a two run home run to Kiki Hernandez of all people in game four brought back all those non save situation failures from prior years.

All of this is to say Kimbrel’s not a guarantee to bring back as the 2019 Red Sox closer. But who is out there who could be a good fit? Closers who have working in the American League and have postseason experience.

Kelvin Herrera

Kelvin Herrera will undoubtedly be the least expensive option. He suffered a torn Lisranc ligament in his left foot and had surgery for it on 8/30/2018. The recovery for that encompasses around six months and requires vigilance. That means he’ll be available a few weeks into spring training if all goes well.

There’s a lot to like about Herrera. He is the youngest of this group at 29 on Opening Day 2019. He also he walks the fewest batters. His 3 year average is 2.17 walks per 9 is the lowest of all the comparisons I’ve found in the top tier group. It is that low walk number than allows him to rival Kimbrel in the walk per strikeout stat. Herrera is 4.6 BB/K, Kimbrel is 4.97 BB/K.

His three year ERA is 3.15 and the Red Sox tried to trade for him at the trade deadline this year. His injuries were bad luck. This year was his first extended time on the DL.

Because of his injury there are questions about Herrera, but that will also make him less expensive. He very well could big the biggest relief Ace bargain of 2019.

Cody Allen

This former Cleveland Indians closer fell out of favor due to an off year in 2018. While Kimbrel will be 31, Cody Allen will be 30 on opening day 2019.

Even with a bad 2018 he can stand next to Kimbrel at 3.8 BB/9 (Kimbrel is at 3.8) and he’s tantalizing because he will be cheaper than Kimbrel and has had a lot of success. In 2016 and 2017 he averaged a 2.73 ERA and 31 saves a year with almost 12 K/9. That is dominant.

Because of 4.70 ERA in 2018 and corresponding difficulties he’s a question. But a worthy gamble due to the potential of prior years and no obvious injury.

Conclusion

Ultimately I believe Kimbrel will come back if he’s asking for a reasonable salary. But if he’s pushing $20 Million like Mark Melancon I see a few appealing options out there that have pitched in the American League, in the playoffs, and are at reasonable age.

It took 18 innings, but the Red Sox lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 in World Series Game 3. A heart breaker for the Red Sox. This puts the Sox up 2-1 in the series and still in the cat birds seat for a World Series Championship.

Eduardo Nunez’s Wild Ride

It’s Eduardo Nunez’s world and we’re all just living in it. It was the top of the 13th inning. The score was 1-1. On a bad ankle and knee he was beat up and pushed around in the batter’s box. He had Brock Holt, who had walked after an 0-2 count, standing at first. During the wild pitch that lead to Nunez’s adventure, Holt scampered to second.

The Red Sox Break Through

After a visit from the trainers and Alex Cora he settled in and waited for a pitch from lefty Scott Alexander. The pitch came in and he swung, a little nubber into no man’s land in front of the mound. The first baseman, Max Muncy, broke for the ball, but the pitcher got there first.

Even gimpy, Nunez got down the line and did what you are never supposed to do. He slid. Amazingly, wonderfully, Alexander’s throw went beyond the grasp of second baseman Kiki Hernandez, who was covering first. While all that was going on Brock Holt went from second to home to take the lead 2-1.

The Dodgers Come Back

By this time the lineup Alex Cora had was make shift at best. Christian Vazquez, catcher, was at first and Eduardo Nunez, pulling a Willis Reed, was at third. Nathan Eovaldi, the supposed Game 4 starter was pitching. Max Muncy walked on a questionable check swing call ball four.

The next batter, Cody Bellinger, skied a foul ball towards the stands on the third base side. Nunez sprinted over and caught the ball, barreling into the stands.

With 2 outs, however, Yasiel Puig hit his own ball into no man’s land. Ian Kinsler was in the game to run for JD Martinez earlier in this game. A bad decision by Cora, one of his very few. Kinsler barely got to it at second base and threw wildly to first. Vazquez didn’t have a chance.

Muncy scored to make the game 2-2.

Jackie Bradley Jr.

A brief timeout to raise up Jackie Bradley Jr. The whole reason the Red Sox were in that position in the first place was because of him. There were two outs in the top of the 8th and the Dodgers closer, Kenley Jansen, was on the mound.

The score was 1-0 Dodgers after an outstanding outing from rookie Walker Buehler. No matter, JBJ knew what to do.

Many questioned his spot in the lineup. Not Boston Sports Extra. His solo Home Run set up the extra inning theatrics.

Nathan Eovaldi

With Nathan Eovaldi doing yeoman’s work the score remained 2-2 into the 18th inning. Yeoman’s work doesn’t cover it.

Eovaldi pitched the most pitches in relief in world series history. He pitched 6 plus innings of 1 run ball on short rest, along with the unearned run from the Kinsler error.

Max Muncy took him deep for a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 18th.

This game pushed well into October 27th. If that date is familiar to you as a Red Sox fan, it should be. That was the date in 2004 The Curse was destroyed. So today isn’t all bad.