Lucas Sims Offers Emotional Reaction Over Trade To Red Sox

There’s an easy way to describe Lucas Sims’ feelings about being traded to the Boston Red Sox from the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday.

Mixed emotions.

“I’m a little sad but also very excited to join such a storied franchise like Boston and go there and help them win ballgames and try to win a ring,” Sims told MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon. “I’m going to miss a lot of people here.”

The Red Sox acquired the 30-year-old reliever from the Reds in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Ovis Portes. Sims posted a 3.57 ERA and recorded 40 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings with Cincinnati this season.

Sims, a right-hander, will join a Red Sox bullpen in desperate need of assistance after routinely coughing up leads late in the 10 games since the All-Star break. It hasn’t helped matters that Boston’s two primary setup options in Chris Martin and Justin Slaten currently are on the injured list.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters prior to Tuesday’s matchup with the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park that Sims will immediately become part of the bridge of arms to closer Kenley Jansen.

With that role, Sims certainly will find himself in more pressure-packed situations with the Red Sox than if he was still with the Reds due to Boston pushing for a playoff spot. The Reds are out of the playoff picture in the National League with a 51-55 record.

Getting to play in meaningful games late into the summer and possibly beyond that is a big draw for Sims pitching for the Red Sox, but he admitted a few tears will be shed before joining his new team.

“With the sad, comes the excitement. It’s nice to feel wanted. Another organization wants you and thinks I can come and help them win a ring,” Sims said. “With that being said, I’m very excited about this opportunity and meeting a bunch of new teammates. It’s a very storied franchise, a great city. I get to go play at Fenway Park, it’s kind of one of my favorite places to play. I get to call that home for the next two months or so and hopefully through October.

“With the tears, I get on a flight tonight and I’m very excited to join them and go pitch for those guys.”