In a move to bolster their bullpen depth, the Boston Red Sox have inked a one-year Major League deal with veteran left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe. This addition means the Sox will need to make room on their 40-man roster, but the potential payoff is significant.
Coulombe, a seasoned pitcher who made his MLB debut back in 2014 with the Dodgers, brings a wealth of experience from his time with five different teams, including notable stints with the Athletics and the Twins. Last season, Coulombe was traded midseason from the Twins to the Rangers, where he showcased his skills with an impressive 2.30 ERA and 43 strikeouts over 43 innings.
Now, let's talk about how Coulombe fits into Boston's bullpen strategy. While he doesn't rely on overpowering velocity-his fastball averaged 90.3 mph last year, placing him in the lower tier for speed-he's adept at using his cutter and sinker to keep hitters off balance.
With Aroldis Chapman firmly holding the closer role, Coulombe is set to be one of three left-handed options for the Red Sox as the season kicks off. Joining him is Jovani Moran, who, despite being a promising talent, has only logged 95 Major League innings. Manager Alex Cora has the flexibility to utilize Coulombe in long relief or in critical matchups against top left-handed hitters, making him a valuable asset in various game situations.