Sox Needs - Effective Lefty-Killer

Effective Reliever against Lefties – Notice, I did not say LOOGY. The Sox like the flexibility of having relievers than don’t need to be restricted to one specific set of circumstances – thus putting an unneeded burden on other members of the BP. Lopez was acquired as a possible option, but the Sox probably would prefer a veteran and I would imagine this will be a top priority as we approach trading season.

Internal Possibilities – Lopez could prove himself. Abe Alvarez is a lefty, but hasn’t been used in the BP. Also, he puts far too many runners on base to be relied upon to face lefties (and righties) in key situations, as I would expect the Sox are looking for in this relief role. The Sox, if they can’t acquire a lefty-out-machine, could just opt to try and improve their overall BP by giving the younger arms (Delcarmen, Hansen) a chance – especially since championship teams have had all-righty BP and succeeded b/c of depth, more than specialization.

External Possibilities – Epstein usually goes for smaller names in his relief acquisitions, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see someone we haven’t heard much about. The higher-recognition names fetch handsome ransoms, ransoms I am not sure these eyes-on-the-future Sox will be willing to pay for the short-term.

Final Word: We will see a trade for someone to fit this role if Lopez doesn’t excel within the next couple of weeks. While I believe Epstein has the intestinal fortitude to stick it out with an all-righty pen, with the instability of Foulke's health, we need somebody capable of coming in and systematically sitting down lefties. Like a speedy base stealer, the lefty-specialist is something the Sox have spoiled themselves with in the past – I bet they are incapable of kicking the habit.