Those innings happen. It was mostly bad luck. The fact that Kimbrel was available and able to come in and get them out of the jam shows you that the Red Sox do have good bullpen depth. It wasn’t like the only guy available was Curtis Leskanic (the fifth man in 2004 bull pen if you recall).
Could Hembree have not walked one batter? Yeah. Craig Kimbrel could have also not walked in a run. But at the end of the day, the bullpen gave up three of the cheapest hits you will ever see and got all six outs via strikeout. The depth is pretty good.
Could it be better? Yeah, that’s an area that could be improved, but it’s an area that could be improved for every team. The team could also use a second baseman (Nunez is a butcher at second and Holt is only good by comparison), a fourth or fifth starter, and another catcher.
All that said, Red Sox will get another reliever and we will all be happy.
I was hoping they could stay away from Kimbrel in the 8th, but it was a good test. I think with Kimbrel, while it makes all the sense in the world to put him in a situation like yesterday to be a "fireman", the way he pitches, I think he is a lot better of with clean innings. Sometimes it takes a bit to find his control and sometimes you just don't have the leeway for that. But once he does find his control, he's as unhittable and dominating as they come.
In your other post you mentioned if you could get Barraclough, Rodney, or Britton - who would you get?
I'd go with Britton, provided the scouts like what they see. You won't be able to go by statistics in this case as they're evolving in his case. Is he getting closer to what he was? If so that's the guy because he's a rental and shouldn't cost as much as Barraclough.
I'd imagine between Barraclough and Conley the Marlins are asking for a ton. I don't think it's worth that price for the Red Sox. I just don't think Barraclough's control is good enough to merit risking a lot of your assets for.
And we've all seen Rodney's act. He's high wire act all the way. He's hard to watch, so even though he'd cost the least, I'd pass on him.
You also mentioned 2b. Now that Pedroia is out, do you think they'll get a 2b?
I think it's contingent upon the reliever in a way. If the Sox can get a cheap reliever and stay under the luxury tax, then perhaps they do nothing at 2b other than go with Holt and Phillips (and I guess Nunez?). If the Sox get an expensive reliever to save themselves from having to give up too much young talent and are over the luxury tax anyways, they just might snag a 2b.
You mentioned Gennett, Dozier, and Lemahieu.
I prefer Gennett because I do believe in his improved performance. He is a good player and he'd make the Sox lineup really scary. They'd be well above average in 7 spots in the order offensively rather than 6. That makes for a deeper lineup. And I also think Holt has a history of wearing down in the 2nd although I must say that even though I have no idea when Cora is going to use him or not, he's doing a great job keeping him fresh.
Logically I would think Dozier makes the most sense. He'd come pretty cheaply I imagine and he has had some strong second halves before. Good power. Might hit a lot better in Boston. And he'd be gone for next year when they figure Pedroia should be ready.
Gennett has another year I think, so it would make for an awkward situation if Pedroia does come back which is what I think they think will happen.
Lemahieu is ok, but his numbers are probably a little Colorado inflated and they aren't that impressive (I could be wrong about that).
Who do you prefer and what do you think happens at reliever/2b?