BOSTON, MA – NOVEMBER 10: Alex Cora looks on after a press conference introducing him as the manager of the Boston Red Sox on November 10, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
After an abysmal 2020 campaign, the Boston Red Sox are ready to make some major moves this offseason to make noise in the AL East.
Fans all over Boston are still fuming over the 2020 season for the Red Sox. After years of being a powerhouse, the club finished a lowly 24-36 and in dead last of the AL East standings. What in the heck happened?
However, things have changed and Alex Cora is back at Fenway Park as skipper of the club. Following such a terrible year, you know there’s even more pressure on the front office to go out and make some moves this offseason. If you ask Cora, could the top priority be to go out and get a closer?
Alex Cora appears ready for Boston to sign a talented closer this winter
While Cora did say he’ll look at Matt Barnes to potentially take the role, he sure didn’t seem convincing in making it sound like he’ll be his guy to close out ball games. Last season, Barnes appeared in 24 games, posting nine saves and a 4.30 ERA. However, he also blew four saves as well.
That number is surely concerning and the last thing Cora wants is to have to worry about the consistency of a closer late in games. That’s likely why he’s hoping Boston can go out and sign a hard-throwing closer before the 2021 campaign gets underway.
A closer isn’t the only thing this team will be in the market for. Last season’s struggles really showcased the issues with the bullpen as a whole. In order for Boston to get back on track, they’ll need to bring in multiple additions to make the fanbase happy. With plenty of time before the spring, look for Boston to work overtime in getting its roster as strong as possible.