Countdown to Sox Spring: Bullpen strong, but depth and lefty questions linger

This BSJ series is designed to get you ready for spring training. Each day, we’ll take a look at a particular position and examine it from the major league level, evaluating depth at the position and looking ahead to some prospects in the minors.

Previous positional breakdowns:

Catcher
First base
Second base
Shortstop
Third base
Left field
Center field
Right field
Starting pitching

TODAY: BULLPEN

OVERVIEW: The Red Sox’ bullpen was a definite strength in 2017, with the Sox finishing with a 3.15 ERA, a figure bettered only by Cleveland (2.89). And when it came to workload, the ‘pen wasn’t overworked, either – the team’s innings (531) ranked 22nd overall, a reflection of how well the rotation performed. ... Craig Kimbrel returns in the closer’s role and after something of an off-year in his first season in Boston, regained truly dominant status last season, ensuring that the ninth inning is well taken care of. One thing to watch in ’18: new manager Alex Cora has said he could potentially use Kimbrel in high-leverage spots in the seventh or eighth rather than the traditional ninth-inning spot. Kimbrel seemed only lukewarm about that idea at Winter Weekend two weeks ago, so it’s up to Cora to sell the notion. ... Last year saw a number of hard-throwing set-up options emerge from the Sox, including Matt Barnes, rookie Austin Maddox and veteran Joe Kelly. Those arms give the Sox the ability to get swings-and-misses in the bullpen, which is almost a necessity in today’s game. ... If there’s a weakness here, it’s the lack of an established lefty. It was thought that Sox might pursue one in free agency, but that hasn’t happened yet. For now, the lefty role could be handled by Robby Scott or potential transfers Brian Johnson or Roenis Elias.

 



CLOSER: Craig Kimbrel
CONTRACTUAL STATUS: $13 million for 2018.
ELIGIBLE FOR FREE AGENCY: After 2018 season.
NOTABLE 2017 STATS: 1.43 ERA/35 SV/69 IP. … Kimbrel averaged nearly two strikeouts per inning (126 in 69 IP). … Issued just 14 walks. ... Led all MLB relievers with a 0.68 WHIP. … Struck out first batter in 88 percent of appearances.
ASSESSMENT: If Kimbrel isn’t the best closer in the game, he’s a very, very short list of those who are. It’s clear now that his first year was hardly indicative of what he was capable, and was largely the result of a knee injury. It will be interesting how he adapts to any change of role, and what efforts – if any – the Red Sox take to try to extend him past this season.



RELIEVER: Carson Smith
CONTRACTUAL STATUS: Avoided arbitration, signed for $850,000 for 2018.
ELIGIBLE FOR FREE AGENCY: After 2020 season.
NOTABLE 2017 STATS: 1.35 ERA/8 G/6.2 IP. … Struck out seven hitters in 6.2 IP. … Held opponents scoreless in first seven appearances.
ASSESSMENT: Smith’s long road back from Tommy John surgery was finally completed when he returned to the big leagues in September, having spent most of August on a minor league rehab assignment. Got sharper, understandably, as he progressed and showed good bite on his trademark slider. Like most who go through Tommy John surgery, it’s expected he’ll be better and stronger in his second season after the procedure. For now, he’s considered the primary eighth-inning set-up option for the Sox.



RELIEVER: Joe Kelly
CONTRACTUAL STATUS: Avoided arbitration, signed for $3.825 million.
ELIGIBLE FOR FREE AGENCY: After 2018 season.
NOTABLE 2017 STATS:  2.79 ERA/54 games/.573 OPS against. … Set career bests in opponents average (.202), OBP (.294), SLG (.279). ... Had a scoreless streak that lasted more than two months, going unscored upon in 22 innings.
ASSESSMENT: It’s somewhat hard to believe, but last year was the first time that Kelly pitched exclusively as a reliever in the big leagues. He showed himself to be durable and adapted to the role well. It’s still something of a mystery as to why someone who can hit 100 mph on the radar gun doesn’t register as many strikeouts as others (he had 52 in 58 innings), but if he’s as effective as he was a year ago, Kelly can be extremely valuable to the Sox.



RELIEVER: Matt Barnes
CONTRACTUAL STATUS: Not arbitration eligible; TBD for 2018.
ELIGIBLE FOR FREE AGENCY: After 2021 season.
NOTABLE 2017 STATS: 3.88 ERA/70 G/69.2 IP. … Has appeared in more games in relief over last two seasons than any other Red Sox pitcher. … Pitched far better at Fenway (2.77 ERA) than on the road (5.28). … Limited right-handed hitters to a .204 batting average. … Stranded 15-of-18 inherited runners.
ASSESSMENT: In addition to his struggles on the road, Barnes seemed to run out of gas over the course of the season, with a 4.30 ERA over the second half. It’s easy to forget that Barnes was the team’s principal eight-inning guy before Addison Reed arrives at the trade deadline and Carson Smith returned in September. He’ll likely be a seventh-inning option in 2018, but could reclaim a bigger role if he can show more consistency.



RELIEVER: Tyler Thornburg
CONTRACTUAL STATUS: Avoided arbitration, signed for $2.05 million for 2018.
ELIGIBLE FOR FREE AGENCY: Eligible after 2019.
NOTABLE 2017 STATS:  Did not pitch due to injury.
ASSESSMENT: Thornburg was sort of last year’s version of Carson Smith from the year before – a highly-regarded set-up man who experienced arm issues before he could contribute. After missing most of spring training and the first few months, it was determined he needed thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, which he underwent in June. The expectation is that he should be ready for the start of the season, but the Sox will be careful with him during spring training, easing him back into action. If healthy, he provides one more hard-throwing weapon for the late innings.

RELIEVER: Brandon Workman
CONTRACTUAL STATUS: Avoided arbitration, signed for $835,000 for 2018.
ELIGIBLE FOR FREE AGENCY: After 2020 season.
NOTABLE 2017 STATS: 3.18 ERA/33 G/39.2 IP. … Spent four different stints with Red Sox. …Enjoyed a stretch from mid-July through late August in which he posted a 0.89 ERA over 16 appearances. … Gave up an alarming number of homers (seven in 39.2 IP).
ASSESSMENT: Workman finally seemed fully recovered from Tommy John surgery which cost him much of '15 and '16. With a crowded bullpen, he may have to be satisfied with being a sixth- or seventh-inning guy.

RELIEVER: Robby Scott
CONTRACTUAL STATUS: Not yet eligible for arbitration; salary TBD for 2018.
ELIGIBLE FOR FREE AGENCY: After 2022 season.
NOTABLE 2017 STATS: 3.79 ERA/64 G/35.2 IP. … held lefties to a .121 average, fifth-lowest among relievers who faced at least 75 hitters. … Had a 0.98 WHIP. … Limited opposing hitters to a 184 average with RISP.
ASSESSMENT: Scott was brilliant as a lefty specialist, which may explain the Red Sox’ inaction on the free agent market this winter. The trick will be to repeat last season’s performance. Scott’s story is an inspiring one, having weathered time in independent leagues to reach the big leagues at 27.

DEPTH: Heath Hembree
CONTRACTUAL STATUS: Not yet eligible for arbitration; salary TBD for 2018.
NOTABLE 2017 STATS: 3.63 ERA/62 G/62 IP. … Set career highs in games pitched and strikeouts (70). … Utilized heavily in the first half, appearing in 40 of the first 89 games. … Seemed to fall out of favor in the second half and was left off the playoff roster.
ASSESSMENT: Hembree may have a tough time making the team out of spring training – unless Thornburg is delayed in his recovery. Could start the year in Pawtucket and still see plenty of action throughout the season due to injuries and performance of others.

DEPTH: Austin Maddox
CONTRACTUAL STATUS: Not yet arbitration eligible; salary for 2018 TBD.
NOTABLE 2017 STATS: 0.52 ERA/13 G/17.1 IP. … Began his major league career with 12 scoreless appearances before allowing a run in his final outing of the season.
ASSESSMENT: Came out of nowhere as a non-roster spring invitee to contribute over the second half of season and probably enters spring training ahead of Hembree on the depth chart. Will likely be left off roster at beginning, but would be expected to contribute at some point.

FUTURE: Chandler Shepherd
NOTABLE 2017 STATS: (at Triple-A Pawtucket) 4.07 ERA/49 G/59.2 IP. … Averaged 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings. … Allowed just five homers over nearly 60 innings.
SCOUTING REPORT: Shepherd may not throw hard enough to project as a late-inning option, but with good command and a decent secondary pitch (slider), he could profile as a middle-inning guy.

FUTURE: Ty Buttrey
NOTABLE 2017 STATS: (Combined between AA and AAA): 4.81 ERA/40 G/63.2 IP. … Averaged better than a strikeout per innings at the two stops, but walked too many hitters, averaging 4.7 walks per nine innings.
SCOUTING REPORT: Needs better control, but could emerge as late-bloomer (he’ll be 25 by the time the season is underway). Impressed scouts in the Arizona Fall League.