The Boston Red Sox acquired Brad Ziegler from the Arizona Diamondbacks in early July to help solidify a bullpen that had been depleted by injuries.
Ziegler had been serving as the closer out in the desert for the better part of the last two seasons, racking up 30 saves in 2015 and converting 18 of 20 opportunities for the Diamondbacks this season prior to the trade. The Red Sox had already made another deal months earlier to bring in a new closer, so while he notched a few rogue saves down the stretch, Ziegler’s primary role in Boston was to help serve as the bridge to Craig Kimbrel in the ninth inning.