Report: Red Sox 'showing interest' in reliever Jeurys Familia

Jeurys Familia David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Red Sox 'showing interest' in one-time All-Star reliever Jeurys Familia

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 11/23/21

Jeurys Familia is five years removed from his lone All-Star appearance, but he is coming off of a solid season out of the New York Mets bullpen that has apparently caught the eye of the Boston Red Sox.

Per WEEI.com's Rob Bradford, the Red Sox are "showing interest" in Familia, who has spent nearly his entire 10-season MLB career with the New York Mets.

"Familia is coming off a solid 2021 in which he finished with a 3.94 ERA, striking out 72 in 59 1/3 innings. He was particularly effective against right-handed hitters, holding them to a .231 batting average and .698 OPS," Bradford wrote. "The righty was somewhat susceptible to the long ball, giving up a career-high 10 home runs (all but one coming off Familia's go-to pitch, his sinker). But his overall stuff -- that includes a four-seam fastball that averages 97 mph -- offers an intriguing package."

As noted by Bradford, Familia just finished a three-year, $30 million deal with the Mets and has primarily been used as a late-inning reliever over his 499 career pitching appearances. In 2015, Familia had 43 saves and posted career-bests in ERA (1.85) and WHIP (1.00), while setting career-highs in innings pitched (78) and strikeouts (86).

The 32-year-old led the league in saves during his 2016 All-Star season with 51, but hasn't been used much as a closer since 2018 when he recorded 18 saves.

Bradford points out that the Red Sox will return Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier, Josh Taylor, Darwinzon Hernandez and Austin Davis to next season's bullpen, while Garrett Whitlock will either be used in the bullpen or starting rotation. Adam Ottavino and Hansel Robles are free agents.

More must-reads: