Examining the Red Sox' free-agent alternatives to Craig Kimbrel

CARLSBAD, Calif. -- The start of the GM Meetings here today signals the unofficial kickoff to baseball's Hot Stove League.

The Red Sox -- if they choose -- will bring back every one of their starting position players from the team that just won the World Series and almost all of their starting rotation.

One area that's likely to undergo some changes is the bullpen, where closer Craig Kimbrel and postseason set-up hero Joe Kelly are both free agents.

The Sox extended a qualifying offer to Kimbrel last Friday, one he will surely reject in the next week. That means the Sox either reach a new multi-year agreement with him or let him go elsewhere, pocketing a fourth-round draft pick as compensation along the way and find a new closer for the 2019 season.

A look at some of the options available to them on free-agent market:





LHP Zach Britton

The Red Sox had some interest in Britton at the non-waiver trade deadline before opting to spend their capital on starter Nathan Eovaldi. Britton returned from an Achilles injury and pitched better later in the season. From 2014-2016, he averaged 40 saves per season. Somewhat atypically for a modern closer, Britton isn't strictly a power guy, getting many of his outs on the ground thanks to a fearsome tw0-seamer. Would that dissuade the Sox, who, like a lot of teams, prefer the ball being kept out of play in save situations? His walk rate in 2018 (4.6 per 9 IP) was his highest since 2012, but that was likely tied to rust and needing to get his mechanics in order.

LIKELY COST: Three years, $42 million.



LHP Andrew Miller

Miller picked a bad time to have an injury-filled year, restricting his earning potential as he heads into free agency. He pitched just 34 innings and posted a 4.24 ERA, his highest since making the switch from rotation to the bullpen. Miller's been beset by knee and hamstring issues the last few seasons, which will surely give teams pause, as well his age (he'll turn 34 in May). Healthy, he can be the most intimidating lefty reliever in the game, one capable of pitching in any relief role in the postseason. The good news for teams: his recent injury history will limit the kind of contract he can demand. The bad news for teams: his recent injury history.

LIKELY COST: Two years, $20 million.

RHP David Robertson

Robertson hasn't closed much in the last year and a half (since returning to the Yankees via trade), but he has plenty of experience in the role, having amassed 137 career saves. Capable of multi-inning setup work, he's the oldest pitcher in this group (about a month older than Miller). He's coming off a somewhat off year (3.23 ERA), but other indicators are still strong (FIP of 2.97; WHIP of 1.033). Though a native of Alabama, Robertson owns a house in Rhode Island, which may make Boston an intriguing landing spot.

LIKELY COST: Two years, $19 million.

RHP Adam Ottavino

He may not have the resume or name recognition of others, but Ottavino has a live arm and, after remaking himself last winter, blossomed and enjoyed a career year for the Rockies (0.991 WHIP; 112 strikeouts in 77.2 innings). He has only 17 career saves in eight major league seasons, though there's little doubt that he could handle the job. Has a Boston tie (he attended Northeastern), but living in New York, he's been linked to the Mets as a likely destination.
LIKELY COST: Three years, $27 million.

RHP Kelvin Herrera

How differently might the Red Sox have played out if the Washington Nationals decided to sell-off Herrera at the end of July? The Red Sox had tried to obtain him from Kansas City, then, after the Royals flipped him to the Nats -- only to have the Nats go belly-up in their pursuit of a playoff spot. Herrera pitched poorly for Washington, no doubt because of some injuries (foot, shoulder). Maybe the Sox wouldn't have gone for Eovaldi? Who knows? In any event, Herrera is a free agent and is the youngest of this bunch. He has plenty of postseason experience, having pitched for two pennant-winning Kansas City clubs. He's not a power guy (he's averaged just under a strikeout per inning over his career), but has a long track record of effectiveness, and thanks to his poor second half, could probably be had at a discount.

LIKELY COST: Two years, $17 million

RHP Jeurys Familia

The Red Sox were strangely disengaged when the Mets were auctioning off Familia in July, eventually sending him to Oakland. He's had difficulty in his career with lefties  (.709 OPS) which could turn off teams, but he's been generally effective, and other than a leg injury in 2017, pretty durable.

LIKELY COST: Two years, $18 million.