Ex-Red Sox All-Star Closer Putting On Showcase; Could Reunion Be Coming?

Could the Boston Red Sox turn to a homegrown hurler to bolster their pitching staff with spring training just a couple of weeks away?

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow reportedly has been in talks with a myriad of free-agent pitchers as he aims to improve the pitching staff with time running out.

Breslow could sign a former teammate who is seeking an opportunity at the big-league level after injuries derailed his last opportunity. 

"Free agent right-handed pitcher Matt Barnes, a 2021 All-Star, is likely to throw for Major League Baseball teams within the next week," MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Sunday. "Barnes is coming back from an offseason hip procedure; with his World Series experience, he could be a wise addition for teams needing bullpen help."

Barnes' career has been a rollercoaster over the last few seasons after a lengthy period of reliability for Boston.

The 33-year-old posted a 5.48 ERA with a 20-to-10 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .284 batting average against and a 1.64 WHIP in 21 1/3 innings for the Miami Marlins last season.

A left hip impingement placed Barnes on the injured list twice as he missed the majority of the 2023 campaign. His underwhelming stint in Miami was cut short when the Marlins declined his $9 million club option. He's now in search of a new landing spot.

Barnes was a homegrown Red Sox player who carved out a nine-season career in Boston. The veteran hurler's 429 appearances with the Red Sox are the third-most in team history, trailing only Bob Stanley and Tim Wakefield.

Barnes' 4.15 FIP last season points to his potential to bounce back in 2024 but a reunion with the Red Sox does not appear to be the most likely scenario.