The Boston Red Sox are reportedly looking into trading for the pitcher that could be their new ace. The Red Sox announced Craig Breslow as their new Chief of Baseball Operations, and during his introductory press conference, he said pitching was the number one priority for this team. Some names on the free agent market have been signed, like Aaron Nola, Kenta Maeda, and Sonny Gray. However, some are still available, like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jordan Montgomery, Marcus Stroman, Eduardo Rodriguez, and even National League Cy Young winner Blake Snell. The Red Sox, though, are reportedly looking for their new big stud via trade, so who might be some options for them to go after?
Starting Pitchers Available
Corbin Burnes – Milwaukee Brewers
Burnes is one of the most sought-after starters on the market. In 2021, he won the National League Cy Young, going 11-5 with a 2.43 ERA and 234 strikeouts. This past season, he made 32 starts, going 10-8 with a 3.39 ERA, a 3.81 FIP, a 1.06 WHIP, a 1.0 HR/9, a 3.1 BB/9, and a 9.3 K/9. For his career, he is 45-27 with a 3.26 ERA, a 3.11 FIP, a 1.05 WHIP, a 1.0 HR/9, a 2.6 BB/9, and an 11.0 K/9.
Tyler Glasnow – Tampa Bay Rays
Glasnow is not likely to be traded to the Red Sox because they are in the same division as the Rays, but it would be nice if he could be acquired. In 2023 he made 21 starts, going 10-7 with a 3.53 ERA, a 2.91 FIP, a 1.08 WHIP, a 1.0 HR/9, a 2.8 BB/9, and a 12.2 K/9. For his career, he is 30-27 with a 3.89 ERA, a 3.58 FIP, a 1.20 WHIP, a 1.2 HR/9, a 3.6 BB/9, and an 11.5 K/9.
Dylan Cease – Chicago White Sox
Cease will most likely not be traded to Boston, with the Atlanta Braves all over him right now. This past season, he made 33 starts, going 7-9 with a 4.58 ERA, a 3.72 FIP, a 1.41 WHIP, a 1.0 HR/9, a 4.0 BB/9, and a 10.9 K/9. For his career, he is 43-35 with a 3.83 ERA, a 3.86 FIP, a 1.30 WHIP, a 1.1 HR/9, a 4.0 BB/9, and a 10.8 K/9.
Shane Bieber – Cleveland Guardians
Bieber won the 2020 Cy Young, going 8-1 with a 1.63 ERA and 122 strikeouts in 12 starts. He has since struggled to return to form; in 2023, he made 21 starts, going 6-6 with a 3.80 ERA, a 3.87 FIP, a 1.23 WHIP, a 1.0 HR/9, a 2.4 BB/9, and a 7.5 K/9. He is 60-32 for his career with a 3.27 ERA, a 3.13 FIP, a 1.11 WHIP, a 1.0 HR/9, a 2.0 BB/9, and a 10.2 K/9.
Paul Blackburn – Oakland A’s
Blackburn has been on the Red Sox radar for some time and should be. In 2023, he appeared in 21 games, going 4-7 with a 4.43 ERA, a 3.96 FIP, a 1.54 WHIP, a 1.0 HR/9, a 3.7 BB/9, and a 9.0 K/9. For his career, he is 17-24 with a 4.90 ERA, a 4.33 FIP, a 1.43 WHIP, a 1.1 HR/9, a 2.8 BB/9, and a 9.0 K/9.
Logan Gilbert – Seattle Mariners
Gilbert makes the most sense for the Red Sox as the Mariners are looking to add an outfield bat; the Red Sox currently have a log jam so it could be a move for Alex Verdugo or Jaren Duran with a few prospects. This past season, Gilbert made 32 starts, going 13-7 with a 3.73 ERA, a 3.85 FIP, a 1.07 WHIP, a 1.4 HR/9, a 1.7 BB/9, and an 8.9 K/9. In his career, he is 32-18 with a 3.76 ERA, a 3.67 FIP, a 1.13 WHIP, a 1.2 HR/9, a 2.1 BB/9, and an 8.9 K/9.
Wrap Up:
Some big names are available, and the Red Sox need to upgrade their rotation, so which of the starters listed would you like them to trade for, and what are you willing to give up to get them?
