After months of inactivity, the Boston Red Sox appear close to taking shape under new chief baseball officer Craig Breslow.
Breslow already has revamped the outfield, middle infield and added pitching depth. He also made his first notable addition to the rotation, which cost the team a piece of the bullpen that many expected to have a shot to make the Opening Day roster next season.
"The Red Sox today signed right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito to a one-year contract for the 2024 season, with a player option for 2025," the team announced. "To make room on the 40-man roster, the club designated right-handed pitcher Mauricio Llovera for assignment."
Mauricio Llovera was acquired from the San Francisco Giants for right-handed pitching prospect Marques Johnson just days before the inactive trade deadline last season that very well might have cost Chaim Bloom his job.
Llovera posted a 5.46 ERA with a 24-to-13 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .264 batting average against and a 1.52 WHIP in 29 2/3 innings for the Red Sox down the stretch.
The 27-year-old was one of many head-scratching acquisitions during the Bloom era, as it was pretty clear that Llovera was not going to do anything to improve a roster that was clinging onto a fleeting glimpse of a chance to make the postseason.
It marked the second year in a row that Bloom elected a buy-and-sell approach, and just like the year before, it massively failed.
If Llovera goes unclaimed, he could return to the Red Sox organization on a minor-league deal, taking him off of the 40-man roster and providing depth for a group looking to add more star power to the top of the pitching staff.
Swapping out Llovera for Giolito is a mighty step in the right direction but Breslow certainly needs to do more.
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