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Why the Red Sox may regret optioning Zack Kelly despite strong recent stretch originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Red Sox’ bullpen has been one of their few strengths this season, as it has been one of the best in the MLB. However, it seems Boston isn’t content with it just yet, as they’ve made some changes to it.
One of the most recent and biggest changes is the Red Sox are optioning reliever Zack Kelly to AAA to call up Tayron Guerrero. Guerrero is an MLB vet that last played in the MLB in 2019, and has bounced from the minors, to Mexico, to the NPB, and back to the minors.
Red Sox are adding a flamethrower in Guerrero
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Guerrero wasn’t very good in his first MLB stint, as he posted a career record of 2-5, an ERA of 5.77, 111 Ks and a WHIP of 1.660 in 113 games. However, he had one thing going for him, which he still has as well: his cannon of an arm.
Guerrero’s fastball has routinely reached 99+ miles per hour, even at 35 years old. In Worcester, he’s used that arm to post a 0.92 ERA, 22 Ks, a WHIP of 0.966 and three saves in 15 games.
It seems like the Red Sox are banking on Guerrero finally figuring out how to pitch to big leaguers, but losing Kelly might not be a good idea.
Boston is losing a top tier reliever by optioning Kelly
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In his past 12 games, Kelly has been a menace for Boston. He’s posted a 1.64 ERA, a 3.02 FIP, 11 Ks, and only six walks in 11 innings pitched.
In 17 games this season, he’s posted a 3.32 ERA, 14 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.286 in 16 innings pitched, so it seemed like really figured out what he was doing wrong.
Hopefully, he can keep that mojo going upon his return to the big league roster, whenever that may be.
The plan going forward
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It seems the plan is Guerrero will take Kelly’s spot for now. If he does well, he stays, and if he doesn’t, back to the minors he goes.
Kelly still has another route back to the big league roster, and it’s whenever the Red Sox decided they had enough of Ryan Watson. Both are righties, and Kelly was bringing a lot more to the table than Watson.
Here’s hoping they make that decision soon, so Kelly can get back to where he needs to be.
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