The Boston Red Sox may be aiming high in their efforts to bolster the bullpen ahead of the season's home stretch. The team has reportedly checked in on Colorado Rockies closer Wade Davis, a source tells ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.
A deal appears unlikely with Davis fresh off signing a three-year, $52-million contract and the Rockies only 4 1/2 games out of first place in the NL West.
Still, the Red Sox are apparently serious about their efforts to improve the relief corps around closer - and impending free agent - Craig Kimbrel.
"They're not just looking to get an eighth-inning reliever," an opposing club's evaluator told Crasnick. "They're looking to get a guy. A real guy.''
Davis would fit that bill, despite his uneven first season in Colorado. He's recorded 25 saves with 39 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings and sports a 4.04 ERA. The three-time All-Star was lights-out the previous three seasons, posting a 1.65 ERA with 76 saves over 169 1/3 innings with the Kansas City Royals and Chicago Cubs.
The Red Sox are reportedly already kicking the tires on Miami Marlins reliever Kyle Barraclough and Minnesota Twins closer Fernando Rodney in their pursuit of late-inning reinforcements heading into the trade deadline.
