The Red Sox acquired some additional bullpen help prior to Tuesday’s trade deadline in the form of Reds reliever Lucas Sims.
The deal was announced on Tuesday afternoon, with Boston acquiring Sims in exchange for 19-year-old pitching prospect Ovis Portes. The Red Sox simultaneously designated Brandon Walter for assignment.
Sims, 30, has a 3.57 ERA over 35.1 innings (43 appearances) so far in 2024. He averages a mid-90s fastball with a mid-80s sweeper. Sims also occasionally utilizes a cutter and curveball. Statistically, he ranks in the 95th percentile in average exit velocity, yielding a comparatively low 86.1 miles per hour.
Originally a first-round pick (21st overall) by the Braves in 2012, Sims was traded to Cincinnati in 2018 along with Preston Tucker and Matt Wisler in exchange for Adam Duvall.
As for his role, Sims could help shore up Boston’s pitching staff, which has struggled since the All-Star break. Having helped the team get into a position to pursue a playoff spot prior to the Midsummer Classic, Red Sox pitchers have scuffled over the last few weeks. The Red Sox have yielded seven or more runs in eight of the last 10 games, including the fast five in a row.
Following the 2024 season, he’s set to become a free agent.
It’s the second pitching-centric trade the Red Sox have made in as many days, having added Pirates left-hander Quinn Priester on Monday. Boston also reacquired starter James Paxton from the Dodgers last week.
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