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MLB Rumors: 5 relievers the Red Sox should target

By Joshua Sadlock

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 22: Francisco Liriano #47 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch in the seventh inning during the game against the San Diego Padres at PNC Park on June 22, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 22: Francisco Liriano #47 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch in the seventh inning during the game against the San Diego Padres at PNC Park on June 22, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – JUNE 02: David Hernandez #37 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during a game against the Washington Nationals at Great American Ball Park on June 2, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Nationals won 4-1. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – JUNE 02: David Hernandez #37 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during a game against the Washington Nationals at Great American Ball Park on June 2, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Nationals won 4-1. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. David Hernandez

Veteran right-hander David Hernandez has carved out a nice career for himself as a reliever after failing as a starter for the Baltimore Orioles. Now in the 10th year of his MLB career, Hernandez has a career 3.50 ERA as a reliever. The 34-year-old has been equally effective against right- and left-handed hitters.

Hernandez has bounced around the league since leaving the Orioles, and has spent the past two years with the Cincinnati Reds. He is in the final season of a two-year, $5-million deal, making him a very cheap option for a contender looking for relief help. He pitched to a solid ERA of 2.53 last year in 64 innings with a 0.984 WHIP.

The numbers don’t look as good at first glance this season for Hernandez, but he has still pitched well. His 5.40 ERA has been inflated by a couple of ugly outings. He does have a 9.00 ERA over his past 12 innings, but also had a streak of seven straight scoreless appearances mixed into those 12 games. Hernandez does have a 2.55 FIP on the year and is striking out 11.3 per-nine, which points to better results in the future.

Hernandez is a solid veteran who can handle multi-inning appearances. He isn’t a flashy acquisition for a team like the Red Sox, but he can be had for a low cost. Without great prospect depth, this might be the best they can do.

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