But in the end, the Sox went no farther than Renteria’s team. The AL’s best rotation faltered in the four-game series, combining for a 10.22 ERA. Kimbrel continued his struggles since arriving in a trade-deadline deal from the Cubs, and the Sox now face the dilemma of picking up his $16 million option and trading him or declining the option and letting him go for nothing. The Sox also have holes to fill in right field, at second base and in the rotation, though Michael Kopech is expected to move into Carlos Rodón’s starting role next year.
