|
BOSTON -- The Red Sox turned to a familiar face to address their need for left-handed bullpen help, coming to terms with Craig Breslow on a one-year, $2 million deal, according to agent Bob Baratta. Breslow became a free agent when the Red Sox declined his $4 million option for 2015. But general manager Ben Cherington had made it clear from the outset of the offseason that re-signing Breslow was viable due to their conviction that his subpar 2014 season was not emblematic of his body of work. The deal is pending a physical, Baratta said. WEEI.com earlier reported the agreement. Baratta had stressed Breslow's superior performance relative to other free agent left-handed relievers in his presentation to clubs. Breslow had the lowest career ERA (3.20) in that group, the lowest hits per nine (7.99), the lowest WHIP (1.29, tied with Joe Thatcher), and the lowest opponents' batting average (.234). He also was second in left on base percentage (75.9 percent) and second in number of days spent on the disabled list. Breslow followed what was his best season (2013) with what was unarguably his worst, when he posted a 5.96 ERA in 60 appearances, with all of his peripherals just as bad. The 34-year-old left-hander was in San Diego at the winter meetings to make his case to interested clubs. Breslow becomes the fourth left-hander on the Red Sox's 40-man roster that figures to be in the mix for a bullpen spot, along with Drake Britton, Edwin Escobar and Tommy Layne. Eduardo Rodriguez is another possibility, but is more likely to begin the season as a starter for Triple-A Pawtucket.
|
