Red Sox rookie relievers

After letting Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito walk the Red Sox could be looking for some depth in the bullpen. They have already added Boof Bonser, Scott Atchison, Fabio Castro, Robert Manuel, and Ramon A. Ramirez but the organization also has some options in the minor leagues.

Dustin Richardson

Richardson spent time in Portland and Pawtucket last season. He is a strikeout machine with an 11.37 K/9 in 63.1 innings in Double-A and 13.51 K/9 in 10.2 innings in Triple-A. He posted a 3.12 FIP for Portland although his K/BB rate was a lackluster 1.86. He has the stuff to get hitters out but his command must improve. The left-hander had 18 K's in 11.2 IP in the Arizona Fall League.

Richard Lentz

Lentz averaged 12 K/9 for Portland in 36 innings. His 1.17 K/BB rate this season was not as encouraging but if he continues to strike out batters at such a high rate he may earn a chance. He also struck out 16 batters in 15.1 innings in the AFL.