It would not be unprecedented. The Red Sox have done it before — once. But while there is no formal club policy against offering three-year contracts to relievers, according to a source familiar with the club’s thinking, the Sox would only go to such lengths to sign a pitcher whom the club deemed to be one of the best in the game.

While there are several strong options on the relief market right now, only one — Rafael Soriano — could be considered one of the top relievers in the game, and since he is virtually certain to seek a job as a closer (a job that the Sox have filled both for 2011 by Jonathan Papelbon and likely beyond by Daniel Bard), the Sox are unlikely to make a play for him. And so, even though a pair of relievers (Joaquin Benoit and Scott Downs) have set the upper end of the market for middle relievers this winter by signing three-year deals, the likelihood is extremely small that the Sox would offer a three-year deal to a bullpen arm this winter.

The Sox gave out their only three-year relief deal under GM Theo Epstein to closer Keith Foulke following the 2003 season. That paid off in 2004, when Foulke proved a crucial contributor to the Sox’ World Series, but offered a case study in the perils of long-term relief deals in 2005 and 2006, when Foulke missed substantial time with injuries and performed poorly, ultimately losing his job to Papelbon.

The Sox have signed relievers to two-year deals that included vesting options. Both Alan Embree and Julian Tavarez were signed to such deals. Embree made enough appearances for his option to vest, while Tavarez did not, but had his option picked up after emerging as a valuable swingman in 2006 and 2007. Both pitchers ended up being designated for assignment in the third year of their deals.

That history may have informed the Sox’ approach with Downs, the free-agent left-hander whom they aggressively tried to acquire both at the trade deadline and again in free agency.

Downs represented a potentially good fit for the Sox as a southpaw with an outstanding track record (he had a 2.36 ERA over the last four years) and a proven ability to succeed in the AL East. According to multiple major league sources, the Sox had significant interest in Downs, especially after signing Crawford.

In part, that represented the fact that the cost of Downs – a Type A free agent for whom the Sox would have to give up a draft pick – would not be quite as steep. The Sox had already signed Crawford as a Type A who would cost them their first-round draft pick; Downs, ranked lower among Type A free agents by the Elias rankings system, would have thus cost a second-round pick.

Even so, while the team would have been interested in him for two years, the Sox made the decision to back off of Downs. The team decided that a three-year deal was more than it wanted to invest in a reliever, particularly given Downs’ age (34) and the fact that he would cost a pick.

A case can be made that Downs was the best setup man on the market this offseason. That being the case, even while the Sox have interest in other available relievers such as (according to multiple industry sources) Matt Guerrier and Jesse Crain as well as (according to ESPN.com) Kevin Gregg, among others, none is likely to receive a deal with three guaranteed seasons.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — According to a source familiar with the situation, the Red Sox’ interest in Scott Downs may depend on Adrian Beltre‘s landing spot.

Given the Sox’ history, they are inclined to keep as many top draft picks as possible. Downs, the left-hander who spent the last several years in Toronto, is a Type A free agent, meaning the Sox would have to surrender a draft pick in order to sign him. If the team does not sign another Type A free agent, that would require the Sox to give up their first-round pick to sign Downs, the No. 24 overall pick in next year’s draft.

But, if Beltre was to be signed by a team without a protected first-round pick (meaning a team picking after the No. 20 pick), they would get the signing team’s pick. For instance, if the Rangers — who have the No. 26 pick in the draft — moved third baseman Michael Young to another position and signed Beltre, it would mean that the Sox get the first-round pick from Texas.

That would give the Sox three first-round picks (the No. 19 pick from Detroit, their own No. 24 pick, and the pick from the Rangers). According to the source, that may make the Sox more willing to lose a first-round pick.

If, however, a team with one of the first 18 picks in the first round signed Beltre — for example, the Angels, who have the No. 17 pick, or the A’s, who have the No. 18 pick — the Sox would get a second-round pick for him. That would leave the Sox with only two first-round picks, making them more reluctant to part with their own.

The source also said that if the Sox were still in the market for a Type A free agent ranked higher than Downs by the Elias ratings — namely, Carl Crawford — then signing the reliever would cost a second-round pick. That would be another scenario that might make it easier for the Sox to sign Downs and lose a pick.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Red Sox love their draft picks. The foundation of the club’s success in recent years has been largely driven by its young talent base, and so if possible, the team would no doubt prefer to avoid sacrificing picks for free agents. And, the prevailing wisdom goes, that would prove especially true of relievers — a volatile commodity for whom the team is reluctant to invest multi-year deals, let alone picks.

So does that rule the Sox out of the three Type A free agent relievers who would cost them a draft pick?

Rafael Soriano isn’t going to end up with the Sox. The closer, who led the American League in saves last year, will be looking for a closer deal at closer years and dollars. The Sox have a closer. There’s no fit.

Grant Balfour, another Type A free agent reliever, would also cost the club with whom he signs a draft pick, assuming he leaves the Rays. His decision to turn down Tampa Bay’s offer of salary arbitration meant that any team signing him would need to pay doubly — giving up dollars and a top draft pick — in order to sign him. While the hard-throwing right-hander’s numbers in the AL East the past three years (2.98 ERA, 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings, 2.8 walks per nine) are excellent, the Sox, according to a source familiar with the team’s thinking, aren’t interested enough to give up a pick to sign him to the multi-year deal he seeks.

But, according to that source, there is a reliever for whom parting with a pick would not represent a deal breaker. While the Sox wouldn’t give one up for Balfour, they might do so in order to sign free-agent left-hander Scott Downs. Read the rest of this entry »

After Jonathan Papelbon's struggles this year, Lou Merloni feels the Red Sox should trade him. (AP)

Let the games, and rumors, begin.

The general managers’ meetings are under way down in Orlando and things are starting to heat up. When it comes to your Boston Red Sox, be ready to hear how they are in on every major free agent out there. Part of it may be due diligence and part of it may be sincere interest. We will probably never know which it is, but one thing that we do know is that the Sox have holes that need to be filled, and because of their roster flexibility, there isn’t a position on the field other than second base where they can’t improve.

Theo Epstein already has come out and said that improving the Sox bullpen will be one of the priorities this offseason. We all know that they need some help in the ‘pen, but could addition by subtraction be the answer?

I think it’s time to trade Jonathan Papelbon. Yes, I have had a change in heart. I preached all season long that Pap wasn’t going anywhere and that the Sox needed to add arms, not lose them. But, going into his last year of arbitration before he hits free agency following the 2011 season, Papelbon will cost the Sox close to $12 million in 2011.

As long as Pap is wearing a Red Sox uniform, he is indeed the closer of this team. Which leads us to the real issue. Jonathan Papelbon is still a very good closer when you compare him to others around the league, but he is no longer an “elite” closer. All you have to do is look at the last couple of years. His walks per nine innings are up. His hits per nine innings are up. There is just too much inconsistency in his game these days whether it is due to his mechanics or just the wear and tear given the position he plays.

One of the main reasons why I didn’t feel that the Sox should trade Pap this offseason was because I didn’t feel that there would be much of a market for him. I don’t think that has changed. He is due an awful lot of money next year, and given his desire to test out free agency following 2011, any team that would entertain acquiring Pap may only have his services for one year.

If the Sox were to find a match, I don’t see them getting anything more than a few prospects as well as possibly having to eat some of Pap’s salary. I know that doesn’t sound like a good deal, but if the Sox were to get a couple of prospects that, say … Jed Hoyer out in San Diego likes as well … it may become extremely beneficial in their pursuit of Adrian Gonzalez in the future.

OK, so why the change of heart? Two reasons.

No. 1. Have you seen how many quality relievers are available in this free agent class? If it’s lefties you’re looking for, you can start with Scott Downs, but it doesn’t end there. How about names like Brian Fuentes, Pedro Feliciano, Randy Choate or Arthur Rhodes, to name a few. Oh, you’d rather have a quality righty coming out of the ‘pen? OK. How would you feel about Grant Balfour, Matt Guerrier, Octavio Dotel, Jon Rauch, Kevin Gregg or Frank Francisco. I know I’d feel pretty good if the Sox could get a couple of those guys.

No. 2. In order to sign a couple of pitchers from that list, it’s going to cost you. It sounds like Theo Epstein has already earmarked money for at least one reliever in free agency. The Sox can take the $10 million or so that they will be saving by dealing Pap (even if they pick up some of his contract) and sign a couple more of those guys.

My point? It’s time to hand the job over to Daniel Bard. There couldn’t be a better time. With the quality in this year’s free agent class, the Sox can surround their young closer with three veteran relievers. I think that we’ve all seen enough from Bard to think that he is more than capable of getting the job done.

It will soon be decision time for the Sox on Jonathan Papelbon. Do they trade him? Do they offer him arbitration? Do they let him go? The last one seems extremely unlikely, but ask yourself this: If you are starting to lose confidence in your closer, why hand over close to $12 million and put yourself through six months of second guessing about who to bring in in the ninth?

I just told you what I think they should do. Now, I’ll tell you what they are probably going to do: They’ll bring back Pap and I’ll be asked the same question I did all last year.

“Why don’t they just let Baaaaahd close?”

Good question!!!

Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said that, yes, there was a bit of an “empty feeling” after his front office had worked feverishly in hopes of achieving an upgrade prior to this trade deadline season, only to make two moves that added nothing to the major league club.

“In past years, we’ve been able to make trades that immediately impact our big league team and that’s a really satisfying feeling. Other years we haven’t been able to and come away with a bit of an empty feeling,” said Epstein. “Today is more the latter. It’s not the end of the story. We have August. We have a team that has the ability to get really hot as we get healthy and play our way right back to where we want to go. We have the ability to add in August as well and get contributions from our internal solutions.

“That’s not the whole story,” Epstein added, “but if you ask me are we frustrated that we weren’t able to help this team today, yeah, we are.”

In the end, rather than add a big league reliever, the Red Sox subtracted one, dealing away Ramon Ramirez to the Giants for a Double-A reliever.

The team also acquired a player who represents a potential project in Jarrod Saltalamacchia, a catcher with significant upside but who had fallen out of favor in the Rangers organization, resulting in a buy-low opportunity for a player whom the Sox had liked for some years. But while Epstein said Saltalamacchia could impact the Sox in the short-term, the greater likelihood is that his impact — if any — will be felt in future big league seasons.

Even so, Epstein made clear that the front office believes firmly that the Sox can get hot and reach the playoffs this year. The team will continue to explore the possibility of August reinforcements for a group that has the potential, according to Epstein, to turn on the jets down the home stretch.

“I want to be clear that we still think we have the ability to make the postseason,” said Epstein. “We have to get really hot. And as we get healthier we start to see the team on the field that can get really hot. We were healthy in April, and didn’t play up to our capabilities. That was a real frustration around here. Now that we’re getting healtier, we get our team back on the field, there’s a feeling in that clubhouse and in our front offie that we have the ability do what we didn’t do in April, and that’s run off a bunch of wins in a row. And that’s what it’s going to take to make up this ground. We still have a feeling that that has a good chance of happening. That’s why we’re going to continue to be aggressive looking for help in August.”

The team, which entered today trailing the Yankees by 7 1/2 games in the AL East and the Rays by 6 1/2 games in the wild card, was willing to sacrifice some of its better prospects (though perhaps not its top-tier minor leaguers) in pursuit of that goal. When they did not match up with other organizations on either outfielders or relievers, the Sox instead decided that they would pursue their upgrades internally.

Hence, the team made the decision to shift Felix Doubront to the bullpen for the rest of the season in hopes that he (along with Michael Bowden, who is eligible to be recalled on Aug. 2) can serve as part of the solution to an area of team weakness this year. Likewise, rather than paying a handsome premium for an oufielder, the Sox decided to turn to up-and-coming prospect Ryan Kalish in hopes of boosting both their outfield offense and defense.

Some of the points made by Epstein:

–The Sox do not yet have an announcement regarding Mike Lowell. Epstein hoped to sit down with the corner infielder following the game.

–The Sox thought they had made the sort of proposals to make a deal. The GM suggested that the club was aggressive in its offers in recent days.

“In the last couple days, we made aggressive proposals. We weren’t sure if we wanted to go all the way, and we did, and the other teams considered it, and in the end decided to hold on to their guy,” said Epstein. “We had three or four of those scenarios, where we thought that if we offered X, Y and Z, we’d definitely get this guy, and we didn’t. So we didn’t get that part of it done.”

–The Sox were aggressive in exploring the market for middle relievers, but the team was not going to part with some of the top prospects in its system to address that need and acquire a player who might contribute 20 innings or so. Unlike the 2009 deadline, when the Sox dangled elite prospects such as Clay Buchholz in return for players such as Adrian Gonzalez, Felix Hernandez and Roy Halladay, this year, the Sox weren’t as willing to part with elite prospects.

“If you look at the trade market in general, last year we were talking about guys who were 10-time All-Stars if not Hall of Fame type talent. And this year on the market, it was a different mix,” said Epstein. “We were talking more about middle relievers, and guys like this. That’s the nature of it. This year is not as talented. Are we going to give up our best or second best prospect for what might amount to a marginal upgrade? Probably not in any year. That doesn’t have to do with where we are in the standings.”

–Epstein said that the trade market did not match up well with the Sox’ needs. The top players moved were starting outfielders, and there were also first base/DH options to be had. The Sox required neither.

What the team did need was relievers, and once a pitcher like Washington closer Matt Capps was traded to the Twins for a highly regarded catching prospect such as Wilson Ramos, the bar was set at a place above which the Sox wanted to go in order to reinforce their ranks.

“[The trade market] was deep in starting pitchers, deep in bats, DH-type bats, pretty thin in relievers, pretty thin in outfielders. We were on the wrong end of that supply and demand dynamic this year, because we needed relievers and outfielders,” said Epstein. “If we wanted to be competitive in that market, we needed to pay high prices. I think we thought we were going to get something done, and we were disappointed in the end that we couldn’t.

“The teams that did trade their closers, per se, I think did really well. The prospects that they got back kind of set the market, that the other teams that had legitimate, impactful relievers, were going to not move them unless they got a similar type of impact back, and I think that’s why you see them not get moved.”

–As for the relief market behind the closers, Epstein noted that there were several relievers moved, but the Sox were focused on those who were elite, rather than on a buy-low pitcher who might be able to help down the road.

“A lot of relievers were moved. A lot of the guys we were in on were relievers who we felt would have been clear, obvious, definite upgrades for us, guys who would have come right into the mix and represented upgrades, guys we could have put in behind [Daniel] Bard and [Jonathan] Papelbon and helped this team immediately,” said Epstein. “We weren’t necessarily in the market just for a reclamation project or somebody that we sort of hoped would help us.”

–The team will remain aggressive in August. Though in order for the team to be convinced to invest significant resources in a trade during the waiver period, the club will need to get hot, something that Epstein believes it is capable of doing once healthy.

“I think we have the resources, both in prospects and dollars, to reach out in August, if appropriate, to help this team. Helping the 2010 team is definitely a goal for today,” said Epstein. “Along with doing some things for the future, the primary goal is helping the 2010 team, we weren’t able to do that, so that’s a disappointment, and something that remains a goal going into August, especially if we get off on the right foot, the way we expect to play in August. We need to have a big August to get where we want to go, if we do get off on the right foot, we can find the right player, certainly.”

–Epstein said that the team determined that Kalish represented as much of an outfield grade as whatever might be available on the trade market.

“We were looking to upgrade the trade market and when it was clear that wasn’t going to materialize, we decided rather than putting someone like a Ryan Kalish in a deal that we would regret some day, with the way his development is going, he’s ready for a trial here at the major league level,” said Epstein. “He brings a lot of energy, brings an advanced approach to the plate, brings a solid all-around game. Those are things that we could use right now.”

There is no set duration for Kalish’s first trial in the big leagues. But the team views him as a useful contributor for however long he will be up.

“Just trying to spark the team a little bit with a young guy that we feel that is just about ready and that way we won’t make trade we’ll regret. I think Ryan is as good as some of the guys we could have acquired in this outfield market,” said Epstein. “We’re not looking at him as a savior. He’s here because of the things he brings to the table, his overall game, his advanced approach at the plate, the energy and intensity that he plays with. … He’s a good baseball player.”

–The team does not have a timetable for the return of Jacoby Ellsbury.

“As much as we need him back here, we don’t want to rush him back here before he’s ready to hit,” said Epstein. “We’re going to be aggressive with it, day to day depending on how he feels and how ready he looks to come up and compete.”

–The team has long coveted Saltalamacchia, having pursued the switch-hitting catcher both when he was with the Braves and again after he went to the Rangers in the trade for Mark Teixeira. Saltalamacchia, once considered an elite prospect, has endured a number of struggles, but Epstein said that the Sox viewed this as a chance to buy low on a player with significant potential at a position of need.

“We’d scouted him heavily this year. He was obviously a guy we’d liked a lot in the past who came with a really heavy price tag in the past. He’s someone we hope we’re buying low on right now as he’s battling a few different issues,” said Epstein. “Obviously, he had the health issue where he had the surgery on the thoracic outlet syndrome this past winter. He had a difficult recovery from that. and then he battled some throwing issues earlier this year, but didn’t take time off, really battled through them.

“We had scouts in there very recently on him, actually right up until the deadline. He’s throwing the ball back to the pitcher fine, throwing to the bases pretty well. We feel like he’s a classic guy with a high ceiling who needs a change of scenery. He’d kind of been butting heads with the organization over there a little bit. He’s a guy we think we can work with to unleash that potential.”

–Epstein spoke enthusiastically about reliever Daniel Turpen, the 23-year-old reliever whom the Sox got from the Giants in exchange for Ramirez. Turpen throws from an “almost sidearm” low arm slot and has what Epstein called “the makings of three above-average pitches.”

“There’s a chance given service time and some other things that there might be some turnover in the pen and he’s someone who can be part of the solution looking ahead. Maybe not this year, but looking at our future bullpen,” said Epstein. “He’s a performer that comes from a difficult arm angle, keeps the ball on the ground and throws strikes. We like his demeanor and the three-pitch mix.”

Turpen has a 4.09 ERA in Double-A this year, and a 2.69 mark in his four pro seasons.

The Red Sox are working feverishly to add to their bullpen. But what if the right deal isn’t there to be made? Can the Sox bullpen avoid being a potential fatal liability?

The team’s bullpen – which sports a 4.42 ERA, is tied for second in the AL with 14 blown saves, has allowed the most homers (43) in the AL and generally lacks a reliable middle reliever in front of closer Jonathan Papelbon and setup man Daniel Bard.

There is a searching period at work for the Sox bullpen, something that became apparent when Scott Atchison was brought in to pitch in the eighth inning of Monday’s game, when Bard was unavailable. The Sox are trying to avoid putting Bard’s shoulder in a shredder. At the same time, it would be difficult for the club to suggest that it has confidence in the personnel heading to the mound on nights when he is unavailable.

All of that raises the question: can the bullpen be anything other than a weakness in the absence of change?

“[The bullpen] is a strength if guys perform to their track records. That’s pretty obvious,” said pitching coach John Farrell. “That’s not always been the case.”

Farrell suggested that the bullpen inconsistencies have been in no small part the byproduct of a loss of confidence by the individual pitchers in their stuff. There has been a tendency of pitchers to overthrow, resulting in walks that have made the base hits all the more costly.

That has led to usage changes across the Sox’ middle relief spectrum. Excluding Tim Wakefield (who has yet to appear in a game out of the Boston bullpen since Josh Beckett’s return) and minor leaguers Michael Bowden and Felix Doubront (whose potential contributions to the major league bullpen cannot be predicted with any great precision), here is a look at the current Sox relief options behind Bard and Papelbon:

MANNY DELCARMEN

The stuff is still there, which makes it all the more puzzling to the Sox why Manny Delcarmen has had such an enigmatic season. He had a sub-2.00 ERA through the first two months of the season, saw his performance tank (14.73 ERA) over the next four weeks while dealing with back and forearm injuries, the latter of which forced him to the DL.

Once activated, he looked strong initially, retiring seven straight batters over two appearances. But in three subsequent appearances, he’s retired just four of the 12 batters he’s faced, allowing three runs on three hits and three walks while hitting a batter.

The issue doesn’t appear to be health so much as it is confidence, according to Farrell.

“With Manny, there are times when he’s been very good when he’s trusted his ability. There have been times, even by his own admission, a lack of trust that causes him to rush and causes his arm to be late,” said Farrell. “That’s the frustrating thing. When you look up and he’s throwing 92-95, if you locate that fastball with that power, that’s a pretty unique combination and one that permitted him to be successful for a long time. That’s what we’re working to get back to.”

Delcarmen’s walks totals have been worrisome to the Sox this year, as he’s issued 23 free passes (against 25 strikeouts) in 37 innings. Even so, he has at least shown the ability to be part of the solution for the Sox bullpen. If he can execute, then he can contribute.

HIDEKI OKAJIMA

It’s been ugly for Okajima, who has a 5.81 ERA, and has been shelled by opposing batters to the tune of a .351 average, .409 OBP and .947 OPS. Left-handed and right-handed hitters have been pounding him with equal enthusiasm.

Farrell believes that the left-hander’s problems stem from a failure to use his fastball in.

“Before, when he’s been able to throw his fastball in to lefties and righties to keep them honest, it speeds up their bats a little bit to make the split a little more effective,” he said. “That hasn’t been the case as frequently.

“The one thing we continue to look at is the usage of his stuff,” Farrell added. “What we try to do is not take his stuff and become traditional in approach – the split late in the count, working away with fastballs. The ability to work in, both off the plate and for strikes, is key for him. Those are the areas we continue to try to establish.”

After allowing five hits and two runs while absorbing the loss on Sunday in Seattle, Okajima was not used in the three-game series against the Angels, despite the fact that Daniel Bard wasn’t available for two of the contests (and Jonathan Papelbon was also unavailable for one).

Perhaps he is dealing with lingering back discomfort; perhaps not. Regardless, given his performance and health struggles this year, the Sox have been without a reliable left-handed option. That explains in no small measure the team’s interest in Scott Downs and Craig Breslow.

If the team does not acquire a lefty, it will be interesting to see whether a roster move is made to give southpaw Dustin Richardson another shot. While Okajima likely can’t continue to struggle to this extreme, his career trend lines are ominous, as his ERA, hits per inning and homers per inning have gone up in each of his big league seasons.

SCOTT ATCHISON

Atchison’s role has grown to unexpected prominence, in no small part because over the last month, he has been the team’s most reliable reliever outside of Bard and Papelbon. In contrast to the command difficulties of other members of the bullpen, Atchison is appreciatively described by the Sox as a strike thrower, as evidenced by his 12 walks in 36 innings this year.

He recently had a stretch of 9 1/3 innings without an earned run, which resulted in him being the pitcher called upon to handle the eighth inning in Anaheim on Monday (when Bard was unavailable). However, he ended up yielding a two-run homer in that outing to Hideki Matsui that served as a reminder that lefties (.294 average, .853 OPS) have done a number on him.

Righties, in contrast, are hitting just .169 with a .553 OPS against the 34-year-old. Atchison has also generated a decent number of strikeouts, averaging 6.7 per nine innings. While his stuff is not overpowering, he is likely to remain a useful middle innings option for the Sox.

RAMON RAMIREZ

There is a reason why other teams have expressed some interest in Ramirez as a trade deadline acquisition. That much has been evident in his last three appearances, when Ramirez has retired all seven batters he’s faced, striking out four of them. Since May 27, in fact, he’s been quite good, forging a 3.33 ERA and holding opponents to a .205 average and .601 OPS.

To date, Ramirez has been used primarily in games when the Sox are trailing (22 of 43 appearances) or when the Sox have held a lead of four or more runs (14 of 43 appearances). He has appeared in the eighth inning or later of a game when the Sox were tied or had a lead of three or fewer runs on just six occasions this year.

There is a chance that the Sox end up dealing Ramirez between now and Saturday. Of course, there is also a chance that the Sox end up pursuing someone just like him: a potential buy-low acquisition whose stuff can play in the middle innings.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Clearly, the Red Sox bullpen is in a state of flux.

The team has been exploring the trade market, trying to see if there is a midsummer cure to its middle relief crisis. Thus far, however, signs are not promising that the Sox will match up with the Blue Jays on a deal that might net the most attractive reliever known to be on the market, Scott Downs.

At the same time, the Sox have explored the possibility of dealing some of their current relievers. The Sox have talked with the Mets about the possibility of shipping Ramon Ramirez to Queens, although that, too, appears unlikely to take place, though it is noteworthy that other clubs are viewing a pitcher like Ramirez as a change-of-scenery candidate whose stuff represents a kind of lottery ticket, capable of becoming an impact arm in a new environment.

The Sox are also engaged in a period of internal experimentation. Michael Bowden – currently in Triple-A Pawtucket – is being groomed to work out of the bullpen down the stretch this year. In the interim, the roles of the team’s current middle relievers appear to be in a state of change. In Monday’s 6-3 Red Sox victory over the Angels, the Sox needed just six outs of relief after Clay Buchholz delivered seven innings of one-run ball. Daniel Bard, the most reliable Sox reliever, was unavailable after having thrown in five of the previous seven days.

“As much as we like Bard, our goal is not to have him leading the league in appearances and innings,” manager Terry Francona said later. “Some nights you’ve got to win without him.”

Monday was such a night. Yet instead of turning to longtime mainstays Hideki Okajima or Manny Delcarmen or even Ramirez to start the eighth inning, the Sox went instead to Scott Atchison, whose recent strong performance (9 1/3 innings without allowing an earned run prior to last night) at a time when the aforementioned non-Bard middle relievers have struggled has resulted in a role of growing importance.

Turning to Atchison for the eighth inning may have represented an effort to see whether another member of the bullpen might be able to step up in support of Bard and Jonathan Papelbon, given the significant struggles of both Okajima and Delcarmen. On Monday, the experiment did not work as hoped.

Atchison surrendered a two-run homer to Hideki Matsui, necessitating the entry of Papelbon into the game with two outs in the eighth. Though Papelbon delivered a four-out save – his first save of more than three outs since last September – the Sox were less than thrilled that his services were needed for that duration, particularly given an lengthy top of the ninth that required the closer to stretch and struggle to stay loose in the dugout.

“I’d rather [the save] have been three [outs],” mused Francona. “As soon as the tying run came to the plate, Pap knew he was in the game. Three is a lot better. That’s a long inning in between, a lot of waiting, but sometimes you’ve got to do it.”

Increasingly, as was the case on Monday, the Sox’ management of the bullpen appears to be driven by necessity, rather than choice. That, of course, is an uncomfortable position for a club. That has made the team’s interest in aggressively exploring the market for relievers natural.

It has become, at least in passing, a topic of conversation among players whether the Sox might make a move for a reliever. Asked whether the team needs to make such a move, Bard answered cautiously.

“It’s not my decision to make. We’ve got a good group of arms that when we’re playing up to our full ability, we’ve got a really good bullpen. It’s a matter of finding some more consistency,” said Bard. “Whether or not we have the personnel there to do it is not up to me. I think we have some talented guys who have proven themselves for a long time. If we can get back as a whole like we’re all capable of, I think we’re a really good bullpen. I guess we’ll see in the next few days if they feel like we need some more arms out there.”

The answer is almost certainly that the front office does feel like the team needs more — or perhaps different — arms. The bullpen’s 15 blown saves are tied for the most in the American League, the group’s 4.47 ERA ranks 11th and the 43 homers allowed are easily the most in the AL. So, the desire for change — internal, external or both — is apparent. The next few days will reveal the cost that the team is willing to pay in order to change the group’s composition.