The Red Sox Signed Jenrry Mejia, A Reliever That Was Popped For PEDs Three Times And Given A Lifetime Ban

Pitchers and catchers report in two weeks, and the Red Sox have finally signed a reliever. No, not Craig Kimbrel. It’s Jenrry Mejia, perhaps the dumbest motherfucker on the planet. Luckily for Mejia, Rob Manfred is a big believer in fourth chances. You see, Mejia was suspended not once, not twice, but THREE times for PEDs and given a lifetime ban as a result of that. Despite the “lifetime ban”, Mejia was eligible for reinstatement in 2018 and the league reinstated the reliever after his appeal was approved by Manfred in July of last year.

“Under the terms of our collectively bargained Joint Drug Program, a permanently suspended player like Mr. Mejia has the right to apply to me for discretionary reinstatement after serving a minimum of two years. Upon receiving Mr. Mejia’s application for reinstatement last year, I invited him to New York to meet with me. During our meeting, Mr. Mejia expressed regret for poor choices he made in the past and assured me that, if reinstated, he would adhere to the terms of the Program going forward. In light of Mr. Mejia’s contrition, his commitment to comply with the Program in the future, and the fact that he will have already spent almost four consecutive years suspended without pay, I have decided to grant Mr. Mejia a final chance to resume his professional career.”

So, there ya go. The only dumbass to ever fail a test three times is now property of the Boston Red Sox on a minor league deal. I think it’s crazy that a lifetime ban can just be lifted like that, by the way. If you’re dumb enough to fail a test more than once, never mind THREE times, then you deserve to kick rocks. But here we are.

In 2014, Mejia struck out 98 batters in 93.2 innings with a 3.65 ERA and a meh 1.48 WHIP. That was also half a decade ago and he was more than likely on steroids at the time, so pardon me if I don’t exactly have high hopes for Mejia to become a late innings option for the Red Sox in 2019. It’s a no risk, who the fuck knows reward situation for Boston, so knock yourself out I guess.

However, it would sure be nice if at least ONE name was added to that bullpen that we knew could factor into the late innings equation. That is, seeing as the Red Sox were looking to add to their bullpen at the trade deadline last year, and that was with Joe Kelly and Craig Kimbrel. Kelly, of course, is now with the Dodgers, and Dave Dombrowski seems to be sticking to his guns that Kimbrel is out of Boston’s price range. Well, Shawn Kelley just signed with the Rangers for $2.5 million. Where were the Red Sox on that one?

Brock Holt posted this picture on Instagram today with the caption, “Hey @redsox ran into some guy today. Says he’s looking for a job. Supposedly he’s pretty good??” Are ya sure this guy can’t be had on a one-year deal? I mean, I believe you if you say he’s not, but going into the 2019 season with the bullpen as is isn’t exactly a sound strategy. And if you don’t get a closer now, then, in all likelihood, you’re going to find yourselves wanting to deal for one at the deadline, using a non-existent prospect pool to deal from.

I’m all for Dombrowski slow-playing the situation, as he did with JD Martinez last winter, but it’s going to be a giant kick in the nuts if Kimbrel signs elsewhere and the Red Sox are stuck defending a title without a legitimate closer. Point to Kimbrel’s postseason struggles all you want, but you’ve gotta get there first and Kimbrel sure as hell helped you get there.