For the fourth time in his MLB career, Adam Ottavino put on a new uniform in 2021.
He joined the Boston Red Sox after being traded by the New York Yankees in January, and he ended up making it all the way to the ALCS with his new team.
Overall, it was a fun and successful season for Boston.
But regarding Ottavino’s individual performance, did he impress?
Let’s discuss.
The Red Sox Relied On Ottavino Heavily
Ottavino saw a lot of action this year.
The Red Sox called on him 69 times in the regular season, which added up to 62 innings of work.
Over the first few months of the season, it was smooth sailing for the righty.
Adam Ottavino goes crazy with Fenway Park!
pic.twitter.com/HYPaTPssxC— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) May 29, 2021
Through July 21, he had a 2.54 ERA, 2.58 FIP, and .199 opponent batting average over 42 appearances.
But around that time, the wheels started to fall off the wagon.
Ottavino proceed to allow 18 earned runs over his next 23 innings of work, giving him a 7.04 ERA over that span.
During that stretch, opponents were batting .303 with a .991 OPS against him.
Obviously, that’s not going to get the job done.
You could even argue that Ottavino was lucky to give up the number of runs that he did.
As a result of the poor stretch, he finished the year with a 4.21 ERA, 3.96 FIP, and an alarming 1.45 WHIP.
His season went from great to underwhelming in about two months.
In The Playoffs, Ottavino Was Able To Bounce Back
Despite his poor finish to the regular season, Ottavino found a way to make a positive impact in the playoffs.
He made five postseason appearances, and four of them were scoreless.
He finished with a 2.25 ERA in the playoffs and was a solid contributor for Boston en route to the team’s ALCS run.
Unfortunately, the Red Sox didn’t accomplish the ultimate goal of winning it all, but Ottavino is likely happy with the way he finished his season.
It gives him some momentum heading into the winter.
Did He Boost His Free-Agent Stock In 2021?
Here’s the big question.
With Ottavino being a free-agent this offseason, did he boost his stock in 2021?
Well, it depends on how you look at it.
After his 2020 campaign, his stock was arguably at an all-time low.
He pitched to a 5.89 ERA over 24 appearances with the Yankees in 2020, which is presumably part of the reason New York unloaded him prior to the 2021 campaign.
Trade is official: Red Sox acquire RHPs Adam Ottavino and Frank German and cash considerations from the Yankees in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) January 25, 2021
Relative to where his perceived value was after 2020, there’s no doubt that the veteran’s stock went up in 2021.
That said, he probably didn’t do enough this season to warrant any ultra-lucrative offers in free agency.
There will surely be some interest, but teams aren’t likely to back up the Brinks trunk for the 35-year-old.
Still, he did enough to ensure that he’ll find a home in 2022.
Plenty of teams could use his services, including the Red Sox.
It wouldn’t come as a huge surprise to see Boston and Ottavino together again next season.
This quote should tell you everything you need to know about Ottavino’s feelings on a potential return.
“It was always a place I wanted to play,” Ottavino told WEEI’s Rob Bradford regarding the Red Sox. “I really love the coaching staff and support staff. I told my wife in May, ‘I’m falling in love again. I don’t know if this is good for my heart.’ It’s been great. I’m really glad it went this way.
“At this point in my life, I’m open to everything. Of course, I would love to come back, but I don’t want to get emotionally caught one way or the other.”
Only time will tell what happens this winter.
