MIAMI — The Marlins added an experienced late-inning option to their bullpen on Monday afternoon by acquiring Matt Barnes and cash considerations from the Red Sox for left-hander Richard Bleier, the club announced.
The longest-tenured Red Sox player until they designated him for assignment on Tuesday, Barnes had become one of the club’s most trusted relievers by 2016. During the ’18 World Series championship run, he dominated across 10 playoff appearances.
Barnes became the full-time closer in 2021, recording a 124 ERA+, a 1.12 WHIP and 24 saves in 60 outings. But he struggled down the stretch, and it carried over into ’22 with a 4.31 ERA, 3.87 FIP and 1.44 WHIP in 44 games. After returning from right shoulder inflammation last August, however, Barnes posted a 1.59 ERA in his final 24 outings.
Boston’s DFA of Barnes, 32, was a function of a full 40-man roster, needing to make space for the signing of free-agent outfielder and former Marlin Adam Duvall.
Barnes, who is due to make $7.5 million during the final year of his contract, is another late-inning option for a Marlins bullpen that saw Tanner Scott (20 saves) and Dylan Floro (10) find mixed results as the closer in 2022. This offseason, Miami also acquired JT Chargois via a trade with the Rays, selected Nic Enright from the Rule 5 Draft and added four relief prospects to the 40-man roster.
Bleier, a local product out of South Plantation High, had been a dependable bullpen piece (133 ERA+) since the Marlins acquired him on Aug. 1, 2020, from the Orioles during the COVID-19 outbreak. He was under contract through 2023, with a ’24 team option, but the Marlins already have late-inning lefties in Scott and Steven Okert, plus prospects Andrew Nardi and Josh Simpson.
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