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UPDATE (3:15 PM): Talks between the Red Sox and Mets are “intensifying,” according to Sean McAdam of the Boston Sports Journal. The deal is not yet close, however.
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ORIGINAL: The Red Sox are reportedly “focused” on acquiring Mets reliever Addison Reed, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports and MLB Network.
In the same report, Rosenthal noted that no deal was close, and that other teams are in the hunt for the right-hander. The Dodgers and Rays have also been previously linked to Reed, with as many as 10 teams involved in all.
Reed, 28, is set to be a free agent after this season making him a rental on the trade market. He has served as the Mets’ closer for the majority of this season where he has pitched to an impressive 2.57 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and he has converted 19 of his 21 save opportunities. Reed has plenty of experience in closing games, but he would likely slot in the eighth inning setting up for Craig Kimbrel.
The Red Sox recently made their first significant trade acquiring Eduardo Nunez from the Giants, which filled the large hole they had at third base. The Sox currently sit just a half-game behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East, and they remain on top of the Wild Card standings.