Alex Speier of WEEI says the one of the biggest concerns for the Boston Red Sox is the bullpen. He points out the Red Sox relievers entered Tuesday with a 10-12 record and a 4.50 ERA – 11th in the AL. So with that said, the Sox could use an upgrade in that department, but not at the expense of their future.

“I think every contending team could always use another useful reliever. It’s something we’re always looking to add to, and we’re no different. It’s no condemnation of our current bullpen, but to be realistic about it, you add a really good reliever it always makes our team better,” said GM Theo Epstein. “That said, you trade for two or three months of a reliever, doesn’t matter if it’s a good one or a great one, you still don’t know what you’re going to get. So you don’t necessarily always want to give up good prospects to get that type of guy, because you’re not sure what you’re going to get in a small sample size from a reliever.”

The Red Sox have learned from years past that a reliever, even a big name one, is not a guarantee. Two examples are Eric Gagne and Scott Williamson.

A few candidates that come to mind that the Sox could look into are Brandon Lyon (Astros, RHRP) and Chad Qualls (Diamondbacks, RHRP). Scott Downs (Blue Jays, LHRP) and Will Ohman (Orioles, LHRP) could be good candidates to be traded, but it is unlikely since they are in the AL East with the Sox.