Hot Stove Lunch: Pickings getting slim for Red Sox

Another day, another (potential) Red Sox bullpen target comes off the big board.

Last week, it was David Robertson, taking a two-year, $25 million deal from the Phillies. On Monday, it was Kelvin Herrera, getting a two-year deal -- with a vesting/club option for a third year -- from the White Sox.

Here's the list of big-name late-inning relievers still available: Craig Kimbrel, Adam Ottavino and Cody Allen.

That's pretty much it.

Yes, there are other established free agents still on the market -- guys who have closed games before, or had success in the late innings. But not lately. They've done it in the past (Sergio Romo, Greg Holland, John Axford etc.).  But none who have done it recently and effectively.

It seems certain that Ottavino is going to get a multi-year deal somewhere, and given that the Sox have stayed on the sidelines for these kinds of deals this winter, it's hard to envision them suddenly scrambling and signing anyone not named Kimbrel for multiple seasons.

Maybe Allen, coming off his worst season, might be willing to take a one-year deal to re-establish himself on the market and make another run at it next winter.

Or maybe this is part of the Red Sox strategy to wait out Kimbrel and see if he'll take a much shorter deal than he initially sought.

Either way, the options are dwindling -- and fast -- for the Sox.

Elsewhere...

AL EAST 

Ken Davidoff finds the sweet spot that makes sense for both Manny Machado and the Yankees.

Where does Mark Trumbo fit in with the Orioles?

Five predictions for the Rays in 2019.

Billy McKinney could play a big role for the Blue Jays.

AL CENTRAL

A look at the Indians top prospect.

The Tigers are getting ready for spring training.

Jon Jay -- a close friend of Manny Machado -- got a one-year deal with the White Sox

The Twins made a bullpen signing.

AL WEST

The Astros are still in good position despite a slow winter.

Shohei Ohtani paid a visit to a sick child.

The Mariners are in need of bullpen help; here are some possibilities.

Would Mike Moustakas make sense for the Rangers?

The 2019 season could be big for Stephen Piscotty 

NATIONAL LEAGUE 

David Wright has a new role in the Mets' front office.

HOT TAKE I MIGHT SOON REGRET 

The degree to which some teams are willing to go to attract a free agent star never ceases to amaze.

So far this winter, the Chicago White Sox have traded for Manny Machado's brother-in-law (Yonder Alonso) and signed one of his workout buddies (Jon Jay).

Purely coincidental, don't you think?

The White Sox are fighting an uphill battle against more established teams like the Phillies and Yankees and have to do something to separate themselves from the pack and make themselves stand out for Machado.

But there's something a little unseemly about a team stockpiling assets that might put them in a better position to sign a star. What if Machado signs elsewhere and the White Sox are left with Alonso and Jay, but no Machado.

Both might help, but still, they could be expensive acquisitions and make for an awkward situation.