Report: Top Red Sox Officials Active in Search for Relievers
By Matt McCarthy, 985TheSportsHub.com
The Red Sox continue to focus on bolstering their bullpen ahead of next week’s trading deadline, according to a new report.
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick tweeted Monday that two of Dave Dombrowski’s top lieutenants, Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations Frank Wren and Senior Vice President of Player Personnel Allard Baird, have been “scouring the market for relievers.”
According to Crasnick, the team appears serious about making a trade happen this week.
Wren, the former General Manager of the Atlanta Braves and a long-time confidant of Dombrowski’s, was spotted scouting Friday night’s Twins-Royals game in Minneapolis, according to Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press.
Twins relievers Fernando Rodney and Zach Duke have been rumored Red Sox targets this July.
The 41-year-old Rodney has handling closing duties for the Twins this year and spent a large portion of his 16-year MLB career playing for Dombrowski in Detroit. Rodney is 2-2 this season with a 3.12 ERA and 21 saves.
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Duke, a 35-year-old lefty, is sporting a 3.75 ERA for the Twins in 2018.
It is also possible that Wren could have been scouting Minnesota second baseman Brian Dozier and Kansas City second baseman Whit Merrifield. Both could be potential targets if the Red Sox decide they need to add an impact infielder with questions lingering about Dustin Pedroia’s health.
The Red Sox were also among the teams rumored to have contacted the Royals about third baseman Mike Moustakas.
Crasnick’s tweet is the latest in a series of reports indicating the Red Sox are predominantly focusing on adding bullpen help by July 31.
Boston has been linked to Orioles closer Zach Britton in recent days, with Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe reporting last week that Baltimore has been scouting Double-A Portland, including third baseman Michael Chavis.
The price for Britton could be high, however, with a number of contending teams rumored to be interested in adding the lefty.
With eight days to go until the deadline, it appears the Red Sox are getting closer to making a move.
You can hear Matt McCarthy on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s own Hardcore Baseball podcast. Follow him on Twitter @MattMcCarthy985.
