The market was raided recently with names such as Jeff Hoffman and Tanner Scott coming off in January. That could require the Red Sox to get creative in how to supplement leverage arms in Liam Hendriks, Justin Slaten and Aroldis Chapman.
What if the best way forward for an aging starter and former Cy Young contender is to do so as a reliever or even as a closer?
Maybe the Red Sox can present that case to Max Scherzer.
Scherzer threw for teams at a pro day recently, per SI’s Pat Ragazzo. The Red Sox were reportedly one of eight teams present and could peek into that market if there’s enough pure stuff left in the tank for the 40-year-old. Scherzer’s fastball still has some life, but he’s not the perennial All-Star he used to be.
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So why not have him in a relief role where he can let it fly in a smaller window? Scherzer has a 2.57 career ERA in a short 19-inning sample size as a reliever and closed out the 2021 National League Division Series against the San Francisco Giants.
Obviously, Scherzer is going to chase the opportunity to be a starter again if the team gives him a chance. He would have to buy into this Boston scenario, but why not get creative to benefit both sides?
The Red Sox will need creativity to make the bullpen work. Maybe that mindset leads to an unforeseen opportunity.
