BOSTON (AP) — The goal is the same for the Boston Red Sox in 2019: finish the season flopping around on the pitcher’s mound, celebrating another World Series title.
All that’s left is for them to figure out who’s at the bottom of the pile.
The defending champions head to spring training without a closer after allowing Craig Kimbrel to test the free agent market. The right-hander who saved 48 games in the 2018 regular season and postseason declined a $17.9 million qualifying offer and is still unsigned, but the Boston brass says the budget won’t allow them to spend big money on a closer, even one who is a seven-time All-Star.