The Red Sox are reportedly in talks with the Philadelphia Phillies to acquire left-handed reliever Antonio Bastardo in exchange for Boston’s 14th ranked prospect, 22-year old infielder Sean Coyle, per Sean McAdam of Comcast Sportsnet New England.
In 67 games with the Phillies in 2014, Bastardo posted a 5-7 record to go with a 3.94 ERA, 1.203 WHIP and a 2.38 K/BB ratio. In 275 career appearances spanning six seasons with Philadelphia, Bastardo owns a career record of 20-18 with a 3.72 ERA, 1.212 WHIP and 2.59 K/BB ratio.
Bastardo would seemingly slide into the left-handed specialist role that was vacated by Andrew Miller when he was traded by Boston at the July 31 deadline.
After starting the season with the short-season GCL Red Sox, Sean Coyle finished the year with the AA Portland Sea Dogs where he posted a .295/.371/.512 line to go with 16 long balls and 61 RBI.
With the Red Sox possessing a surplus of infield talent, moving Coyle for Bastardo would represent a cost effective way for Boston to upgrade its’ bullpen. Bastardo is eligible for salary arbitration, and only earned $2 million in 2014 – a fraction of what some of the top relievers have earned on the free-agent market thus far.
Forrest Mulheron is a Boston Red Sox/MLB Correspondent for Baseball Essential
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