The Boston Red Sox are facing a challenging period, marked by both bright spots and significant struggles. While the offence has shown flashes of brilliance, capable of putting runs on the board in crucial games, and the starting pitching has been largely stellar, the bullpen has become a glaring weakness. This inconsistency in the relief corps is raising concerns among fans and management alike, prompting a look at potential solutions.
Bullpen Woes Plague the Red Sox
The Red Sox’s bullpen has been particularly problematic of late. Pitchers like Greg Weissert have struggled, with a concerning tendency to allow a high percentage of inherited runners to score. This has put immense pressure on the rest of the pitching staff and contributed to blown leads.
Adding to the pitching instability, Brayan Bello has encountered difficulties in starting games effectively. To compensate, the team has experimented with using “openers” – pitchers who start a game for a short stint before a more traditional reliever takes over. Unfortunately, these opener experiments have largely backfired.
In four games where Bello has pitched in long relief, the openers have demonstrated a significantly higher earned run average (ERA) in the first inning compared to Bello himself, who carries a 11.57 ERA in the opening frame. Jovani Moran has been a frequent casualty of this strategy, and more recently, rookie Tyler Samaniego has also struggled in this role. Whether it’s the opener strategy itself or simply poor pitching in the later innings, the bullpen’s performance has been lacklustre.
A Potential Solution in Worcester?
Amidst these bullpen struggles, the Red Sox may have an answer waiting in their Triple-A affiliate in Worcester. The team needs to act swiftly to address the current situation, and one name that stands out is Tommy Kahnle.
The Veteran Presence of Tommy Kahnle
Tommy Kahnle is a seasoned bullpen veteran who made his Major League debut back in 2014. He has pitched for a variety of teams, including the Detroit Tigers and the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, his most impactful years came with the rival New York Yankees, especially in the latter stages of his career.
In 2023, Kahnle posted a respectable 2.66 ERA over 42 appearances. He has built upon that success in 2024, delivering an even more impressive 2.11 ERA through 50 appearances.
Kahnle signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox in mid-March. This contract, however, included a crucial clause: if he wasn’t added to the 40-man roster by June 1st, he would have the option to opt out and seek opportunities with another club. This is a scenario the Red Sox would ideally want to avoid.
Kahnle’s Impressive Minor League Performance
The veteran reliever has been exceptional in Triple-A Worcester. In 19.1 innings pitched, he boasts a remarkable 1.40 ERA and has recorded 21 strikeouts. He’s also taken on a closer-like role, securing five saves in 18 appearances out of the bullpen. Despite a down year in Detroit in 2023, where his strikeout percentage dipped significantly, Kahnle appears to be revitalised within the Red Sox system.
The Urgency for the Red Sox to Act
Kahnle’s initial contract expired on May 1st. With no other teams showing significant interest in adding him to their active roster, the Red Sox extended his contract for another month. Given the current struggles plaguing their bullpen and Kahnle’s consistent success in the minors, there appears to be little justification for him not being included in the current Major League roster.
Currently, the only reliever on the Red Sox with a better ERA than Kahnle is their closer, Aroldis Chapman. Furthermore, with Garrett Whitlock sidelined for an anticipated couple of weeks, a void needs to be filled in the bullpen.
Following Weissert’s subpar performance against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday afternoon, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to understand his continued presence on the team. While a 4.43 ERA might not seem catastrophic in today’s game, batters are hitting a formidable .319 against him with runners on base. Even in his less successful 2023 season, Kahnle only allowed a .240 opponent batting average with runners on the bases. Between ongoing injuries and persistent poor performances, a change is clearly needed. Tommy Kahnle could very well be that catalyst for improvement.
The Final Decision Looms
The Red Sox have until Monday to make a definitive decision regarding Tommy Kahnle. As previously noted, especially with the injury to Garrett Whitlock, there is undoubtedly a place for him in the bullpen. This opportunity could extend beyond just a temporary fix, potentially becoming a longer-term solution for the team’s relief pitching woes.
