General Manager Theo Epstein hopes additions strengthen Boston Red Sox bullpen
Boston Red Sox were taxed heavily by Major League Baseball when they unleashed a major budget on new signings, this off season. With the acquisition of Adrian Gonzalez from the San Diego Padres and Carl Crawford from the Tampa Bay Rays, the team set the
mark in the winter meetings. They were the obvious winners of the break period and now it seems the bullpen is getting stronger.
General Manager Theo Epstein had said that things had gone according to plan and now with major players coming into the side to reinforce the relief pitching department, he’s come out to say that he hopes the additions have strengthened the bullpen. The
club already has a star closer in the rotation and that man happens to be Jonathan Papelbon. The veteran hasn’t extended his contract thus far and many expect he will move to the free agency.
Nevertheless, with Bobby Jenks, Dan Wheeler and Matt Albers coming to the existing rotation, replacement won’t be a problem for the club. Existing relief pitcher, Daniel Bard is considered another man who could take the ace’s role if things deteriorate in
the future.
"I think the biggest thing is we've added a lot of depth, experience, power arms, and strike throwers to our 'pen," Theo Epstein said. "Last year, it was a struggle all season long for us to cobble it together and give (manager Terry Francona) some quality
options out there. I felt even if we broke camp today, we'd have an abundance of options and different looks and guys who can go through the heart of the other team's order, and, hopefully, get the ball to Pap."
Andrew Miller is another player who Epstein sees fitting into the rotation. He was acquired from the Florida Marlins recently and is regarded as one of the potential ball throwing forces to make their way up the minor league ladder.
"We're open to both (roles for Miller)," Theo Epstein said. "I think long term; the goal is to get him back to being a starting pitcher. He's got tremendous ceiling as a starter. For the short term, it's probably worth our while to take a look at him out
of the 'pen, especially in Spring Training. I think some of the adjustments we plan to make with him - not going into too much detail, but simplifying some things - lend themselves to a look as a reliever in Spring Training."
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