Should the Red Sox Start DFA-ing ?
On Thursday the Arizona Diamondbacks DFA’d Madison Bumgarner. They still owe the 3 time World Series winning 5 time Cy Young contender 37 million on the 85 million dollar contract he signed with them in 2020. But the D-backs had seen enough of the former ACE. The Red Sox face a similar situation with not one but two of Chaim Blooms 2023 off season moves. Corey Kluber and Ryan Brasier.
To the shock of the entire baseball loving world Bloom avoided arbitration with Brasier last January. And signed the reliever to a one year 2 million dollar contract. Why ? Don't Know . Brasier was coming off the worst single season performance of his career. In 62.1 innings he threw to a 0-3 record and an ERA of 5.78. But all winter we kept hearing about his spin rate and his 4.92 K/BB ratio. Yea okay.
To date in 2023 he has given up 11 runs, 10 earned on 14 hits in his first 11 innings on the hill. That's an ERA of 7.94… to be fair he does have a win, a hold and a save on the season. To be fair to all of you. He has given up 5 earned in his last 2. Innings of work. Time to go.
Corey Kluber is another story that needs to now be talked about. Bloom signed Kluber to a one year 10 million dollar contract last off season, with a club option for a second year at 11 million. Kluber took his fourth straight loss giving up 7 runs on six hits and two walks in just five innings vs the Twins on Wednesday. Kluber ( the opening day starter) is now 0-4 with an ERA of 8.50 in 18 innings on the hill in a Boston uniform. If it’s not time to go it's close like I shaved an hour ago close.
The sox are a .500 team a lot of that has to do with these two simply not getting the job done. As long as they are on the roster Cora will have no choice but to keep using them. But has their time here come to an end ? with questions being answered by Brayan Bello returning to the big league club and Tanner Houck pitching lights out in his last two outings. True he’s given up 5 runs in his last 12 innings, but his 13 K’s in his last 11 IP compared to just 5 BB has been impressive and you don't monkey with impressive. Have I mentioned Nick Pivetta yet ?
There are additions by subtraction moves at Bloom's disposal early here in 2023. Will he swallow his pride and make them? Don’t know. but he should.
As always you can follow/give me grief on Twitter @Tmurph207