The Red Sox acquired some additional bullpen help prior to Tuesday’s trade deadline in the form of Reds reliever Lucas Sims.
The deal was announced on Tuesday afternoon, with Boston acquiring Sims in exchange for 19-year-old pitching prospect Ovis Portes. The Red Sox simultaneously designated Brandon Walter for assignment.
Sims, 30, has a 3.57 ERA over 35.1 innings (43 appearances) so far in 2024. He averages a mid-90s fastball with a mid-80s sweeper. Sims also occasionally utilizes a cutter and curveball. Statistically, he ranks in the 95th percentile in average exit velocity, yielding a comparatively low 86.