The Boston Red Sox have made significant strides in improving their pitching staff this offseason, but their bullpen remains an area that could still use reinforcement. So far, they’ve made notable additions to their starting rotation, acquiring Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler, and Patrick Sandoval. These moves bolster the team’s depth, with Crochet and Buehler offering high-risk, high-reward potential and Sandoval expected to return from Tommy John surgery in the second half of the season. However, despite these promising additions to the rotation, the bullpen remains underdeveloped.
Thus far, the only significant bullpen acquisition has been Aroldis Chapman, a 36-year-old flamethrower, whom the Red Sox are hoping can still contribute effectively. With Kenley Jansen departing via free agency, the team is left without a proven closer and could certainly benefit from further strengthening their bullpen. One potential target that stands out is 2024 All-Star Tanner Scott, a former San Diego Padres standout who could provide the Red Sox with a reliable late-game option.
Steven Russell, a content creator, recently predicted that the Red Sox would pursue Scott, noting that the team has been aggressive in bolstering its pitching staff. In a recent Instagram video, Russell expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of Scott joining the team, emphasizing the value he could add to their bullpen. Scott, 30, posted an impressive 1.75 ERA in 72 innings last season and has been even more dominant since 2023, recording a 2.04 ERA across 150 innings with 188 strikeouts. Notably, he has also shown considerable improvement in limiting walks, nearly halving his walk rate compared to the previous two seasons.
Scott’s ability to generate swing-and-miss stuff makes him one of the top closers available on the market, and many believe he could be the missing piece to solidify the Red Sox bullpen. The team has made it clear that they are prioritizing pitchers with strikeout potential, and Scott fits that profile perfectly. While the Red Sox likely still need a proven closer to replace Jansen, the key question remains whether they are willing to meet Scott’s price tag, as he is expected to be highly sought after in free agency. With their pitching staff already significantly improved, adding Scott would elevate Boston’s chances of competing in 2024.
