MLB Rumors: Red Sox ‘Looking’ At Veteran Right-Handed Reliever

The Boston Red Sox still have time to further explore the market before Tuesday’s MLB transfer deadline, and the rumors continue to swirl.

With bullpen depth becoming a notable area of ​​improvement, especially during Friday night’s thrilling 9-7 win over the New York Yankees, Boston is reportedly already discussing relief pitching in the front office. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Red Sox are reportedly considering several options, including Luis Garcia of the Los Angeles Angels.

Garcia, 37, signed a one-year, $4.25 million contract with Los Angeles in free agency last offseason before posting a 3.80 ERA with three saves in 44 appearances (42 2/3 innings) this season. The Angels, who are 9 1/2 games out of the American League West at 45-59, plan to sell and unload before the deadline, giving teams like Boston a chance.

The Red Sox began their post-All-Star Game season by going 1-5 on their six-game road trip, with bullpen woes following the team from Colorado back to Boston. But chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, who has already begun the buying spree by first acquiring starter James Paxton from the Los Angeles Dodgers, also acknowledged that relief pitching is a primary deadline target — along with right-handed hitters.

“I mean, ultimately we want to come out of Tuesday’s deadline with both of those spots added,” Breslow said Friday at Fenway Park, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com. “So many of these things require us to be drafted in a lot of different areas. We have guys that I think are very capable on the team right now. We also have a strong system that allows us to operate out of areas of surplus.”

If Boston acquires Garcia from Los Angeles, the organization would only have to pay $1.45 million for the remainder of the season.