We heard recently that former All-Star closer Matt Barnes was going to throw for teams as he looks to get an opportunity in 2024.
Well, Alex Speier of the Boston Globe has the insight on how that went.
Barnes threw last week for a number of teams in his continued rehab from surgery. Still building arm strength, but fastball was 90+ w/command and he also showed the curveball and splitter (he reincorporated that pitch last season). Could find a deal for start of spring training.
Considering he's still rehabbing, to be in the low-90s seems promising. The reincorporation of the splitter is also something potentially appealing to teams as it helps having three pitches helps to gain more deception against hitters.
The 33-year-old Connecticut native is a 10-year veteran who made the All-Star team in 2021. He spent the first nine years of his career with the Boston Red Sox, helping them win the World Series in 2018, and then spent 2023 with the Miami Marlins.
Barnes has had an interesting career arc. He was an extremely useful reliever for Boston from 2016-2019, appearing in at least 62 games every season. Then, in 2020, he became the team's primary closer. He had a great first half of 2021, signed a contract extension, and then dropped off precipitously.
He went 0-4 for Boston in 2022, lost his closers job and had a 4.31 ERA. He had a 5.48 ERA in an injury-shortened 2023 for Miami.
Given how volatile the bullpen market is, there's always a chance he could regain his prior form if given the chance.
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