The Boston Red Sox dropped their second straight game to the Minnesota Twins on Saturday, marking another low point after the team enjoyed a sweep in their previous series.
The Red Sox now appear to be running out of reason for optimism as the team sits in a tie for last place in the American League East division shortly after cutting ties with long-time manager Alex Cora.
“It has been a month since the Red Sox fired Alex Cora and six of his coaches, saying the move was necessary for the team to realize its potential,” Peter Abraham wrote for The Boston Globe. “They have played better since, but certainly aren’t anybody’s idea of a playoff team at 22-28… The Sox are not legitimate contenders. The focus should be on changing that for next season. The sooner they get started, the better.”
Boston Red Sox’s $55 Million Starter Brayan Bello Looks Like ‘Odd Man Out’
As the team looks for some kind of positive to rally around, it can point to the impending return of franchise ace Garrett Crochet. After coming in second place in American League Cy Young Award voting last year, Crochet looked out of sorts on the mound this season before being placed on the injured list. Now he is scheduled for a live batting practice next week.
But Crochet’s potential return could also be a bit of bad news for the team’s long-time starter Brayan Bello, who appears to be the natural candidate for a demotion out of the rotation to make room for Crochet.
“Red Sox righty Brayan Bello understands he could be the odd man out of the starting rotation when ace Garrett Crochet returns from the injured list,” Christopher Smith reported for MassLive. “Bello has a 9.68 ERA (30 ⅔ innings, 33 earned runs) in seven starts.”
A move out of the rotation would be a surprising turn for Bello, at least before the season started, who has started at least 28 games for the Red Sox in each of the past three seasons. He signed a six-year, $55 million extension with the team in 2024 and has minor-league options remaining.
Boston Red Sox’s Brayan Bello Responds To Likely Demotion After Garrett Crochet Return
When asked directly if he feels he is pitching for his spot in the rotation as a roster cut looms alongside Crochet’s imminent return, Bello acknowledged that he could be the natural choice for a demotion.
“I do think so,” Bello said through a translator, per Smith. “There’s plenty of stars coming up and I do think that.”
Bello has appeared to benefit from a shift to an opener’s role and he might have some time to salvage his spot in the rotation. But perhaps a move to the bullpen could help his performance and a team that is struggling to earn wins.
