Red Sox swing trade for reliever just ahead of deadline

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Lucas Sims (39) throws a pitch in the ninth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, July 11, 2024. The Reds led 3-0 after three innings. The Reds won 8-1.

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The Boston Red Sox acquired more bullpen help on Tuesday, with mere hours to go until the trade deadline.

As first reported by ESPN's Jeff Passan Tuesday afternoon, the Red Sox are acquiring right-handed reliever Lucas Sims from the Cincinnati Reds. According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive, the Sox are sending back minor-league right-handed pitcher Ovis Portes, and also designating lefty Brandon Walter for assignment.

Sims, 30, is in his eighth major-league season, mostly spent with the Reds. So far in 2024, he's 1-4 with a 3.57 ERA in 43 appearances, with 40 strikeouts in 35.1 innings. Sims' FIP is 4.88, an indication that he's gotten some help on balls in play from the Cincinnati defense. He's also finished five games for the Reds this season, with one save.

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The Red Sox also acquired righty Quinn Priester from the Pittsburgh Pirates to help their recently struggling bullpen ahead of the trade deadline. Priester and Sims join left-handed starter James Paxton and catcher Danny Jansen as the team's newest trade additions.

Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

<sup>Jun 12, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds pitcher Lucas Sims (39) prepares to pitch in the seventh inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Great American Ball Park. (Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports)</sup>

Boston could still use a right-handed power hitter to bolster their lineup before the trade deadline passes at 6 p.m. ET. Jansen provides a little pop as the new backup catcher (six home runs in 232 plate appearances), but ideally, they can get someone to plug in at designated hitter or the outfield.

Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.

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Matt DolloffWriter

Matt, a North Andover, Massachusetts native, has been with The Sports Hub since 2010. Growing up the son of Boston University All-American and Melrose High School hall-of-fame hockey player Steve Dolloff, sports was always a part of his life. After attending Northeastern University, Matt focused his love of sports on writing, extensively writing about all four major Boston teams. He also is a co-host of the Sports Hub Underground podcast and is a regular on-air contributor on the Sports Hub. Matt writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.