The Boston Red Sox might be looking at a complete bullpen makeover by the trade deadline, but Danny Coulombe could be gone much sooner than that.
The left-handed reliever is a prime candidate to be designated for assignment, according to Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report.
If Boston DFAs Coulombe, he’d be removed from the 40-man roster and placed on waivers. It’s not exactly shocking when you look at the numbers.
“The Red Sox are the lone team that has yet to DFA anyone. But in Coulombe and Ryan Watson, they do have two relievers who are very much on thin ice. Instead of the Rule 5 draft pick with an ERA north of 5.00, though, give us the veteran southpaw with a 6.17 ERA on his one-year, $1M deal.”
Miller also notes that Coulombe struggled over the final two months last season after being traded to the Rangers. That trend has clearly continued into 2025.
Timing Tells the Story
What makes this even more telling? Boston just acquired another left-handed reliever, Joe La Sorsa, on Thursday.
That’s not a coincidence. When you’re carrying a 6.17 ERA and the team brings in another lefty reliever, the writing’s on the wall.
The Red Sox could eventually trade away guys like Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten if they fall out of playoff contention. But right now, La Sorsa’s acquisition points directly to Coulombe’s struggles.
Coulombe isn’t a household name, but he’s had MLB success before. Another team might take a flyer on him through waivers, especially on that modest contract.
For Boston, it’s about roster flexibility and getting production from the bullpen. At some point, you’ve got to make the tough calls. Coulombe’s situation seems like it’s heading that direction sooner rather than later.
