How should the Red Sox handle Brayan Bello?

Brayan Bello’s situation in Boston is difficult across short-, season-, and long-term horizons. It is unclear whether he should begin games or pitch behind an opener, and it is also unclear whether he belongs in the starting rotation or the bullpen. His three appearances as a bulk reliever have been far better than his seven starts, while Jovani Moran’s results trend in the opposite direction. The team’s starting pitching has struggled in Bello’s ten games. Garrett Crochet appears close to a rehab return, and several other pitchers are expected to remain in the rotation. Bello’s extension runs through 2029 after a 2024 deal, but his strikeout and run-prevention profile has shifted since the agreement.

"The word "Opener" gives me the shakes and it's just one example in a long list of things that the Rays did very well, out of necessity, and the rest of the league copied poorly. It can't be denied that Bello's three games as the "bulk" reliever have been astronomically better than his seven starts. That being said, Jovani Moran's splits are an inverse relationship to Bello's. In a fairly hot take, I don't think Jovani Moran should start any more games this season."

"Whether it's Bello or an Opener, the starting pitcher has stunk on ice in each of the ten Bello games this season. This isn't working, whatever it is. As Garrett Crochet faces live hitters for the second time this week, a rehab stint seems imminent. It's unfathomable for any of Crochet, Sonny Gray, Ranger Suarez, Payton Tolle, or Connelly Early to be removed from this rotation (at least not until Sonny Gray is traded at the deadline)."

"It's also hard envisioning Brayan Bello transitioning into the Greg Weissert role and faring much better. Bello has two minor league options left, but what would that do for his confidence? When Bello debuted in 2022, out of necessity due to nine starting pitchers being on the IL, he was due to become a free agent after the 2027 season. The Red Sox bought out his arbitration years, and signed him to a six-year, $55M extension running from 2024 through 2029."

"Bello had been solid in 2023, with a 4.24 ERA in 157 innings, with a 13.0 K-BB% when the team offered the extension. Since that date, Bello's ERA has stayed at an identical 4.24 ERA, but his K-BB% is down to 10.3%. His "

Read at Over the Monster