The Boston Red Sox have seen injuries to three of their top starting pitchers this spring.
Kutter Crawford, Lucas Giolito and Brayon Bello are all expected to begin the season on the injured list with different injuries.
But the starting rotation isn’t the biggest worry for the Red Sox. In fact, Boston still doesn’t have a closer, and we’re just two weeks away from opening day.
As of now, Liam Hendriks, Aroldis Chapman and Justin Slaten are expected to split time as the team’s closer. This seems like a significant step down from last season when the Red Sox had Kenley Jansen as their closer.
If Boston wants to take a step forward at closer, they could do so in a blockbuster deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Cardinals will likely look to trade their closer, Ryan Helsley, before he lands in free agency at the end of the season. Spotrac predicts Helsley will sign for $81 million in free agency next winter.
Acquiring him would likely be expensive, but it would be well worth it for Boston. Instead of having to trust a handful of questionable relievers as the team’s closer, the Red Sox could use the flame-thrower who led baseball in saves last season.
Helsley, 30, posted an impressive 2.04 ERA in 66 1/3 innings. He recorded 49 saves and was worth 3.0 WAR, both of which were career highs. The righty did this with a struggling Cardinals team. If he lands with the Red Sox, there’s a chance he eclipses 50 saves in 2025.
