The Boston Red Sox want to be where the New York Yankees are. Perhaps stealing one of their players could be a step in that direction.

For the first time in 15 years, the Yankees will be in the World Series after punching their ticket with a victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday. The Red Sox won two rings during the Yankees' losing streak, but now New York has a chance to reign supreme in the rivalry.

If the Red Sox office cares nearly as much as the fans, the sight of the Yankees in the World Series should be downright infuriating. Boston was evenly matched with New York for most of the regular season, and even though their own inconsistency left them 13 games behind the Yankees in the standings, there's no reason the Red Sox can't compete for a title next year.

One way to weaken the Yankees is to sign one of their players, and the Red Sox have some vacancies in their bullpen. Insider Jim Bowden of The Athletic called Boston a fitting replacement for Yankees All-Star Clay Holmes on Thursday.

“Clay Holmes appeared in 60-plus games for the third straight season and made 30 saves before losing the closer job to Luke Weaver in August,” Bowden said. “However, he recovered towards the end of the season and performed well at key pitches in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. In his final eight appearances of the regular season, he allowed just one run and finished with a 3.14 ERA.”

The 31-year-old Holmes has excelled overall in his four-year Yankees career, although he has often found it difficult to assume a traditional closer role. His inclusion on the All-Star team at a point in the season when he was leading the American League in saves was somewhat controversial, but he still had an ERA of under three at the time.

Holmes didn't help his case in the postseason either, allowing three earned runs, including a walk-off home run, in just 2 2/3 innings in the ALCS. Although he has nasty stuff and creates a lot of weak contact, Holmes has had a penchant for blowout assignments at times this season.

Bowden predicted that Holmes would sign a two-year, $18.5 million contract, which, while below the going rate for closers these days, is still quite an expensive relief pitcher deal. It would be risky for the Red Sox to try Holmes in the closer role, but he could also be one of the game's best setup men.

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