Sure, Kyle Schwarber was a nice pickup, but how about getting some bullpen help at the trade deadline?
That was the prevailing narrative after July 30 came and went. It simply seemed that the path to closer Matt Barnes at that time was far too thin. And when August rolled around and Hansel Robles and Austin Davis were the two pitchers brought on to solve the problem, the rumbling only increased.
What a difference 1 1/2 months make.
The Red Sox won again Tuesday night, this time beating the Mets, 6-2, at Fenway Park for their sixth straight victory. Xander Bogaerts carried the offense with a mammoth three-run homer, while Ryan Brasier got the win thanks to three clutch outs in the middle innings.
But within the win was a reminder regarding what the Red Sox have uncovered when it comes to their two trade deadline pitchers.
Craig Kimbrel. Ian Kennedy. Brad Hand. RIchard Rodriguez (who has given up runs in 4 of his last 5 outings for the Braves). They are all relievers that haven't worked out as planned for their acquiring teams.
Robles and Davis? It's been far better than most anticipated.
The win over the Mets simply offered the latest reminder for what the duo is doing, with Davis coming on for two clutch outs leading to Robles striking out two of the three batters he faced.
Some might have just become aware of the dynamic considering both pitchers' introduction to the Red Sox. Davis was forced to serve as a mop-up man out of the gate, throwing 43 pitches in his second appearance as a Red Sox and 22 the next time out. Since then, however, it has been increasingly meaningful outings, with Davis contributing to a suddenly potent left-handed trio of relievers, joining Darwinzon Hernandez and Josh Taylor.
He also has given up just one hit and two walks since Aug. 21. That seems notable.
Robles was seemingly on his way out barely after finding his way in, imploding in Toronto while bizarrely instigating a brouhaha with the Blue Jays. That, combined with questionable control and production, had pushed the righty to the back of the Sox' bullpen.
Now? Robles has legitimately become closer-quality material.
In his last nine appearances, the hard-throwing righty has struck out 14 in 8 1/3 inning, giving up three hits, two walks and not a single run.
Factor the two pitchers' presences with a bullpen that has allowed just six runs in 44 1/3 innings over its last 10 games, and envision how all this might actually work in October.
The best-case scenario has made an appearance. Suddenly, that trade deadline doesn't seem all that bad, after all.