he Boston Red Sox already have an elite relief tandem in Aroldis Chapman and Garrett Whitlock, but you can never have too much pitching, especially in the bullpen.
It’s not surprising, then, that the Red Sox are one of several teams interested in former All-Star closer Devin Williams, according to MLB insider Jon Morosi.
During his appearance on MLB Network on Tuesday, Morosi said that Boston, the Detroit Tigers, the Cincinnati Reds, the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers “have some interest” in Williams and are checking in on him.
“I think Devin Williams will be a very highly coveted free agent. No shortage of suitors for the former Relief Pitcher of the Year Award winner there,” Morosi predicted.
The 31-year-old right-hander is a free agent this winter coming off a disappointing season with the New York Yankees. He struggled in his lone season in pinstripes, going 4-6 with -0.3 WAR and a career-worst 4.79 ERA.
However, the two-time All-Star still posted strong peripherals, finishing with a 2.68 FIP, a 1.13 WHIP and 90 strikeouts over a career-high 62 innings.
Based on those numbers, Williams is a good bet to bounce back next year, which explains why so many teams are showing interest in him.
The Red Sox know Williams fairly well after sharing a division with him last season. Adding him to a unit that already features Whitlock and Chapman would make Boston’s bullpen even better and arguably the best relief corps in baseball if Williams returns to form.
