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Monday, January 30, 2023

Matt Barnes traded to Marlins from Boston (source)

The Marlins added an experienced late-inning option to their bullpen on Monday afternoon by acquiring Matt Barnes and cash considerations from the Red Sox for left-hander Richard Bleier, a source told MLB.com on Monday.

The club did not confirm the news.

The longest-tenured Red Sox player until they designated him for assignment on Tuesday, Barnes had become one of the club’s most trusted relievers by 2016. During the ‘18 World Series championship run, he dominated across 10 playoff appearances.

Barnes became the full-time closer in 2021, recording a 124 ERA+, a 1.12 WHIP and 24 saves in 60 outings. But he struggled down the stretch, and it carried over into ‘22 with a 4.31 ERA, 3.87 FIP and 1.44 WHIP in 44 games. After returning from right shoulder inflammation last August, however, Barnes posted a 1.59 ERA in his final 24 outings.

RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: January 30, 2023 at 03:49 PM | 7 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: marlins, matt barnes, red sox

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1. Textbook Editor Posted: January 30, 2023 at 04:05 PM (#6115183)

[insert "the missing piece!" joke here]

2. John Reynard Posted: January 30, 2023 at 10:51 PM (#6115223)

[insert "the missing piece!" joke here]

Maybe they will reacquire Miggy and think he'll hit like he did back when he was but a young Marlin? I mean, that would push them a long way.......just get that fish guy and the two-way star from LAA and you'd have a contender then, right? Though, only with Barnes of course.

3. Darren

Posted: January 31, 2023 at 09:33 AM (#6115252)

That ought to clear up that roster crunch. Wait...

4. jacksone (AKA It's OK...) Posted: January 31, 2023 at 10:30 AM (#6115260)

I am very interested in the 'cash considerations' part of this. Am I crazy or does Bleier have a decent chance to be better than Barnes this year?

5. Der-K's enjoying the new boygenius album. Posted: January 31, 2023 at 10:42 AM (#6115264)

barnes makes a lot more than bleier - it was enough to make the salaries roughly neutral. it was originally reported as only 1m, but is now reported as just over 5.5m (bleier makes 3.5m and barnes makes 7.5m (and with a 2.25m buyout for next year, sans escalators, that will likely be invoked)). fwiw, zips projected both with the same era+ for next season, with their old clubs.

6. jacksone (AKA It's OK...) Posted: January 31, 2023 at 11:45 AM (#6115271)

barnes makes a lot more than bleier - it was enough to make the salaries roughly neutral. it was originally reported as only 1m, but is now reported as just over 5.5m (bleier makes 3.5m and barnes makes 7.5m (and with a 2.25m buyout for next year, sans escalators, that will likely be invoked)). fwiw, zips projected both with the same era+ for next season, with their old clubs.

I believe Barnes was at $8.375 this year + the $2.25 option for next year, so if the Sox are kicking in $5.5 they are not saving much at all - 8.375+2.25-5.5-3.5-.25 ('24 option for Bleier) = a savings of $1.375, with the option to pick up Bleier's option year for an extra $3.5M. Challenge trade it is, I guess.

7. villageidiom Posted: February 01, 2023 at 01:56 PM (#6115407)

Challenge trade it is, I guess.

Barnes is a righty and Bleier is a lefty. Boston's bullpen (post-Taylor) was very RHP-heavy.

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Monday, January 30, 2023

Matt Barnes traded to Marlins from Boston (source)

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