2016 AL East Rankings by Position: Relief Pitching
By Nate Wardle
3. Boston Red Sox – Craig Kimbrel, Koji Uehara, Carson Smith, Junichi Tazawa, Robbie Ross Jr., Brandon Workman, Tommy Layne, Matt Barnes, Heath Hembree, Carlos Marmol, Sean O’Sullivan
The Red Sox are the third strong bullpen in the AL East. In fact, outside of Kansas City, these three can likely lay claim to being the next best bullpens in the AL, with Houston in that race as well. The Red Sox saw that success by the Royals, realized their pitching concerns outside of free agent signing David Price, and traded for Craig Kimbrel.
Uehara will be out of the closer role for the first time in several years. Smith ended up as the closer by the end of the year for the Mariners, and did a very good job in the Seattle bullpen. He now will likely share 7th-inning duties in Boston with Junichi Tazawa.
Behind those four are several regulars in the Red Sox bullpen, along with a couple of guys looking to restart their careers in Boston. Ross, Workman, Layne, Barnes and Hembree all will be in at least their second year for the Red Sox, and while none of them are stars, they make up average bullpen depth.
O’Sullivan was in the Phillies’ rotation in 2015, and it was UGLY. But, he might be able to win a late-inning position for the Red Sox, as it is likely that those who do not make the rotation will either be sent to AAA or released. Carlos Marmol is just a few years away from being a good but volatile closer for the Chicago Cubs.
The back end of the bullpen for Boston is just a bit below the Yankees and Orioles, but Kimbrel is also a top 15 closer in the game.
Next: And yet another improved bullpen...