Boston Red Sox: The bullpen resurrection of Garrett Richards

Red Sox Garrett Richards may be the bullpen savior

Right-hander Garrett Richards of the Red Sox picked up steam as a starter as the 2021 season wore on. Unfortunately, that steam was similar to a boulder racing down a hill, ready to smack Wily E. Coyote. Richards was a bust, failure, disaster, and finally and mercifully pulled from the rotation.

Attempting to place a shine on Richards in the early going, he appeared to be a free-agent steal through May. Richards was not dominant but provided some solid substance until June rolled around. Richards turned into a pitching pinata and, to the disappointment of the opposing hitter, was shuffled off to the bullpen.

Since that move, a resurrection has occurred, and Richards is no longer a cream puff but the new closer. Matt Barnes sank in that role just after inking a two-year extension. Great timing for Barnes and lousy timing for management.

Richards is no novice to the bullpen but has never been the closer in residence until possibly now. Richards may now have the opportunity to have management ponder picking up a $10 MM option. That is all dependent upon manager Alex Cora and his constantly evolving bullpen. Closers are the Big Kahuna in the bullpen.

Why the turnaround? On Sunday against the dreadful O’s, Richards smoked in with a 98 MPH heater. No actual pacing as a starter would and crank it up. The peripherals are also improving in the shorted bullpen stints. Less contact and weaker contact. Less barreling up on Richards. Fewer walks. In 20.2 innings tossed, Richards has a 29’4 K%, 9.4 BB%, and a miserly 0.87 ERA.

Richards has an extensive repertoire of pitches, including his fastball, curve, change, and sinker. That can now be shortened to what is working in the bullpen warmup or link Sunday, just a solid heater and killer slider.

Is this an illusion? The next few weeks and hopefully the playoffs will give an indicator to just what Richards can provide. The price tag for 2022 is a hefty one, and Boston does have the possibility for cheaper options such as rookie phenom Garrett Whitlock.

For Richards, it opens up an avenue if Boston chooses to buy him out ($1.5 MM). Richards could be a solid addition to a bullpen and provide depth for a rotation, but that comes with the apparent risk. Richards was solved as a starter and could be solved as a closer or setup.

If the success continues, Richards does offer a puzzle to Chaim Bloom. The Sox have Barnes on the books for $18.75 MM spread over 2022-2023. Another $10 MM directed towards Richards and Boston is building up some big coin for what could be either a double failure or double success.

This will come down to the finish line for Richards and his Boston future. A deep venture into the playoffs with Richards providing solid performances is the key. A lot of money is on the table for Richards.