Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Red Sox Urged to Bolster Bullpen With Two Familiar Faces

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sterling Bennett | Last updated Jul 18, 2025 1:00 PM ET

If the Boston Red Sox are serious about contending this season, then chief baseball officer Craig Breslow must act accordingly. Although bigger needs will take top priority, it would benefit Boston to scour the market for bullpen upgrades.

Aroldis Chapman has been tremendous on his way to an All-Star nod, making the Red Sox's approach much simpler. Without the need for a flame-throwing closer, Boston can focus their efforts on middle-inning relievers – a position far cheaper to acquire.

Boston is hoping Jordan Hicks, acquired in the Rafael Devers trade, can give the team leverage innings down the stretch of the season. Yet, Hicks’ track record is anything but consistent, leading Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com to list two potential trade targets.

The first is Philadelphia Phillies veteran Lucas Sims. The right-hander is currently in the minor leagues after a brief stint in the majors that saw the 31-year-old accumulate a 13.86 ERA in 12.1 innings. Boston also attempted the Sims experiment last season after a midseason trade with the Cincinnati Reds. It resulted in a less-than-spectacular 6.43 ERA across 14 innings – a drastic decline from 3.57 ERA during his time with the Reds.

Another potential trade target mentioned by Cotillo is Luis Garcia of the Washington Nationals. In 31.1 innings, Garcia has totaled a 5.04 ERA during his time with the Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers. Similar to Sims, Garcia also spent part of the 2024 season with the Red Sox. The results were equally as bad. Yet, according to Baseball Savant, the sinker baller would see an increased level of success pitching at Fenway Park.

His home run total projects to remain staggeringly low in Boston compared to playing in Washington or Los Angeles. Garcia’s groundball rate also ranks inside the 91st percentile, which is on par with San Francisco Giants’ ace Logan Webb.

Neither Sims nor Garcia is the best middle relief option on the market, but they could add depth or at least further options for manager Alex Cora down the stretch of the season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: