For somebody with the nickname of “Big Smooth,” Drew Pomeranz has been anything but on the mound this season. After acquiring Pomeranz from the San Diego Padres in the middle of the 2016 season, Pomeranz has struggled so far in 2018. The team was hoping for the Pomeranz of 2017, as it was one of the best seasons of his career.
In 2017, Pomeranz had the second lowest ERA of all the Red Sox starters at 3.32, while sporting a 1.353 WHIP. The 29-year-old reached career highs in innings pitched, wins, and starts, while having the second highest strikeout total of his career.
However, with a 2-5 record, a 6.12 ERA, and a 1.797 WHIP, it’s safe to say Pomeranz is not the starter he was last season.
Pomeranz started the year on the disabled list with a forearm strain and came back in late April. During the southpaw’s first two starts of the season, he only pitched a combined 8.2 innings and gave up seven runs in total. Pomeranz’s continued struggles in May landed him back on the disabled list in early June for bicep tendinitis.
Pomeranz made two starts in late June, giving up six runs in 9.2 innings, obtaining a loss during both starts. After pitching 4.2 innings during his first start of August, Pomeranz exited the game with a one run deficit and runners on first and second.
After continually struggling during his starts Alex Cora made the decision to move Pomeranz to the bullpen in early August. Pomeranz has made five appearances from the bullpen, and has pitched well in all but one appearances.
Pomeranz’s bad bullpen outing took place on August 15 where he gave up three runs in the seventh inning. While the Red Sox were down 4-3 when Pomeranz entered, the Red Sox lost the game 7-4. Even though Joe Kelly earned the loss for giving up the lead, if a better bullpen arm like Matt Barnes or Ryan Brasier had pitched instead of Pomeranz there could have been the possibility of the Red Sox tying, or winning the game.
While Pomeranz hasn’t been terrible in the bullpen, I believe getting rid of Pomeranz would be a good move for the Red Sox.
The best option for getting rid of Pomeranz would be to place him on waivers, meaning if anybody actually wants him they take his contract, but if they don’t the Red Sox can still keep Pomeranz instead of being forced to drop his contract entirely.
While it’s likely the Red Sox would get a prospect or two for Pomeranz I wouldn’t expect the team to get much for Pomeranz, if anything, considering he is a struggling player who will enter free agency next year. However, I believe getting rid of Pomeranz is the best move the Red Sox could currently make.
