5 relievers for Red Sox fans to know ahead of MLB trade deadline

The Pink Sox may need the perfect nearer in baseball this season, however each group may use a bit of additional bullpen assist.

The truth is, the Pink Sox had the second-most blown saves in baseball this season (20) getting into Sunday. Whereas their bullpen ERA (3.33) was the fourth-best mark, their relievers had thrown a mixed 386 innings getting into Sunday. That ranked eleventh within the majors and third amongst American League groups which might be within the playoff hunt.

The Pink Sox may stand so as to add some extra proficient arms round Aroldis Chapman, particularly if the harm that knocked him out of Sunday’s recreation forces him to overlook a fantastic time frame.

Numerous relievers sometimes get moved within the days main as much as the deadline, a handful of relievers will possible be higher than the remainder of the bunch that get traded. So, let’s check out the high-end bullpen choices for the Pink Sox forward of the commerce deadline.

Emmanuel Clase, RHP, Cleveland Guardians

Clase may be the highest bullpen arm that will get moved forward of the deadline. From a pedigree standpoint, he’s actually the highest reliever who’s rumored to be available on the market. The three-time All-Star completed third in AL Cy Younger voting in 2024, posting a 12 months that was so sturdy that he completed eleventh in AL MVP voting as effectively.

Nevertheless, Clase’s numbers have taken a little bit of a dip this season. His 1.225 WHIP is a profession low, whereas he’s blown 5 saves in 29 alternatives.

Nonetheless, Clase is among the many recreation’s finest on the place, posting a 0.61 ERA, 66 strikeouts, and a 0.659 WHIP in 74 1/3 innings pitched over 74 appearances final season. He additionally led the American League in saves for a 3rd straight 12 months (47). His cutter was additionally one of many elite pitches in baseball, with opposing hitters recording a .150 batting common towards the pitch.

With Chapman set to enter free company on the finish of the season, including Clase may additionally function a long-term add for the Pink Sox. The 27-year-old is beneath contract via the tip of the 2028 season and is owed simply $26 million over the subsequent three years.

The Athletic‘s Jen McCaffrey and Jim Bowden recently proposed a commerce wherein the Pink Sox would surrender Jarren Duran for Clase and beginning pitcher Shane Bieber, who’s recovering from Tommy John surgical procedure. Whereas Bowden mentioned he’d wish to see the Pink Sox hold Duran, he does assume that such a deal would make sense for each groups.

Jhoan Durán, RHP, and Griffn Jax, RHP, Minnesota Twins

Past Clase, one other AL Central group possesses two of the highest relievers who may be obtainable on the commerce market forward of the deadline.

Durán, 27, may be the closest model to a right-handed model of Chapman. His fastball has traveled sooner than the Pink Sox’ nearer’s this 12 months, averaging 100.3 mph. Durán’s split-finger is his commonest pitch, although, which travels at 97.6 mph. That’s helped him publish a 1.90 ERA, 1.120 WHIP, and 52 strikeouts over 47 1/3 innings pitched this 12 months, logging 16 saves over 47 appearances.

Jax, in the meantime, has been higher than his numbers counsel. The 30-year-old had a 4.00 ERA getting into Sunday, however his FIP was at 2.07. Serving as Minnesota’s setup man, Jax has struck out 14 hitters per 9 innings pitched this 12 months to go along with a 1.244 WHIP over 48 appearances. He principally makes use of offspeed pitches (sweeper and changeup) to retire hitters.

Each pitchers are beneath group management via the 2027 season, so they might function long-term choices for the Pink Sox as effectively. After all, that might additionally imply they might possible must spend extra in commerce capital.

David Bednar, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

One of many lone vivid spots for the Pirates this season, Bednar is the one full-time nearer who’s but to blow a save this season. He’s recorded a save in all 16 of his alternatives, posting a 2.19 ERA, 51 strikeouts, and a 1.054 WHIP in 37 innings pitched over 41 appearances.

Bednar largely depends on his fastball and curveball for achievement. Though Bednar’s fastball (97.1 common mph) won’t journey as quick as different high closers, it’s helped log a 34.5 p.c strikeout charge in 2025. That’s within the 96th percentile of all pitchers.

Bednar, 30, is beneath group management for the 2026 season.

Ryan Helsley, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals

The Pink Sox have been linked to Helsley for quite a bit, together with his title rising as a possible piece of a doable commerce bundle that might’ve additionally despatched Nolan Arenado to Boston over the offseason.

After all, that deal didn’t come to fruition. However Helsley has nonetheless been dealing in St. Louis. The 31-year-old and two-time All-Star has a 3.00 ERA to go along with 41 strikeouts in 36 innings pitched over 36 outings this season. He does have a 1.389 WHIP, which is a bit excessive.

However like Clase, Helsley’s previous success is just too sturdy to miss. He led all of baseball in saves final season with 49, logging a sub-3.00 ERA for the third straight 12 months (2.04). He nearly solely throws fastballs and sliders, together with his four-seamer touring at a median velocity of 99.3 mph this season.

Helsley is about to turn out to be a free agent at season’s finish, so he may very well be a rental for whoever acquires him.