MIAMI – The Miami Marlins today acquired 2018 World Series Champion and 2021 American League All-Star reliever Matt Barnes along with cash considerations from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for left-handed reliever Richard Bleier.
Barnes, 32, has appeared in 429 games across parts of nine seasons – all with the Red Sox, collecting 556 strikeouts with a 4.07 ERA and just 200 walks. He is one of just two AL pitchers with 40-plus appearances in a single season six times since 2016 (other, Ryan Pressly). In 12 career Postseason outings, Barnes is 2-0 with a 0.79 ERA (11.1 IP/1 ER), holding opponents to a .175 average.
The native of Danbury, Connecticut, recorded a career-high 24 saves for the Red Sox in 2021, earning All-Star honors for the first time in his career. He made 44 outings last year, going winless with a 4.31 ERA (39.2 IP/19 ER) and 8 saves, including a 1.59 ERA (22.2 IP/4 ER) and 6 saves in his final 24 appearances.
He was selected 19th overall in the 2011 MLB Draft by the Red Sox out of the University of Connecticut. He currently resides in Fort Myers, Fla.
