Red Sox make another surprising bullpen cut, DFA righty who dominated Triple-A in 2022
For the second time in less than a week, the Red Sox have made a somewhat surprising decision to cut ties with a reliever.
Boston designated righty Franklin German for assignment Tuesday to make room for lefty Richard Bleier, who was acquired from the Marlins for Matt Barnes and cash. Barnes had been designated last week when the Sox needed to a clear a 40-man spot for Adam Duvall.
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German was acquired from the Yankees alongside Adam Ottavino in a Jan. 2021 trade and saw his stock rise in the second half of 2022, when he posted a 2.58 ERA and posted a 10.8 K/9 ratio in 38 ⅓ innings at Triple-A. That performance resulted in German getting called up to the majors in late September. German had a disastrous major league debut (he allowed four earned runs without recording an out) and allowed runs in his next three outings before finishing his season with a scoreless frame in Toronto on Oct. 2. All told, the 25-year-old had an 18.00 ERA (8 earned runs in 8 innings) while allowing seven hits and recording four strikeouts in five big league games. He was named the organization’s 2022 Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year after going 5-2 with seven saves, a 2.72 ERA (15 ER/49.2 IP), and a 0.91 WHIP in 43 appearances between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester.
The Red Sox will now have seven days to trade, waive or release German, who was ranked as their No. 22 prospect, according to SoxProspects.com and participated in their rookie development program in Boston last week. He should have trade value as a relief prospect who might contribute in the major leagues in 2023.
The decision to designate German further indicates that the Red Sox are high on relievers Zack Kelly, Ryan Brasier, Wyatt Mills and Kaleb Ort, who have survived a handful of 40-man cuts in recent months.
