With the injury to Eduardo Rodriguez, the Boston Red Sox may suddenly be in the market for a starting pitcher prior to the MLB non-waiver trade deadline.
Entering the second half of the 2018 MLB season with a 68-30 record and on top of the American League East, the Boston Red Sox front office is all in on winning a fourth World Series championship and are reportedly willing to cross the luxury tax threshold to obtain it.
With Eduardo Rodriguez dealing with a serious ankle injury and both Drew Pomeranz and Steven Wright on the disabled list, a starting pitcher could suddenly be on the team’s shopping list.
To get someone who can help them who could be a factor in the team’s championship hopes, they are going to have to take on a hefty contract and are apparently willing to do so.
"“There’s a willingness from our bosses,” Red Sox president and CEO Sam Kennedy told NBC Sports prior to the All-Star Game on Tuesday. “John [Henry] and Tom [Werner] have made very clear to me and to Dave: Look, let’s see how the market develops, and we want to do what it takes to try and win a fourth World Series championship. I don’t know how the market’s going to play out, but we’re getting close here.”"
That doesn’t mean the Red Sox will go out and do something outrageous, but if it makes sense in helping the team win, then they will pursue any deal that presents itself. Quite frankly, they should.
While Chris Sale is his usual dominant self, Rick Porcello isn’t a lock when it comes to reliability and we all know David Price’s issues. While the lefty has the ability to be a dominant presence on the mound, his mental toughness continues to be a question mark.
With the offensive power the Houston Astros and New York Yankees have, another frontline starter could help the Red Sox get over the hump in the playoffs. If Rodriguez, Pomeranz, and/or Wright doe return, that will just bolster the pitching staff. At the same time, the team won’t have to depend on the health of each of those players.
So, with the MLB trade deadline just two weeks away, here are five starting pitchers the Boston Red Sox should consider.
Nathan Eovaldi, Tampa Bay Rays
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A cheaper option for the Boston Red Sox is a pitcher inside their own division.
With a 3-4 record and 4.59 ERA with the Tampa Bay Rays, starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi is a player the Red Sox could get without giving up too much.
With the way Boston and the New York Yankees are running away with the division, the Rays will be sellers and a pitcher like Eovaldi is already rumored to be on many team’s radar for starting pitcher help.
The Washington Nations, Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves are some of the teams reported to have interest in the 28-year-old righty.
While not a sexy choice, Nathan Eovaldi can give the Red Sox some innings as a No. 4 or No. 5 pitcher. At the very least he could add some depth to the rotation as a spot starter or if Alex Cora decides to eventually go with a six-man rotation.
With a salary of just $2 million a year, he could be an intriguing option for depth, but not someone who will put the team over the top.
J.A. Happ, Toronto Blue Jays
With the great 13-pitch at bat Mookie Betts had against Toronto Blue Jays starter J.A. Happ during a game in July, the 35-year-old veteran pitcher may want to have Betts as a teammate rather than face him.
While he is not having a dominant season, Happ represented the Blue Jays at the 2018 MLB All-Star Game with a 10-6 record and 4.29 ERA in 19 starts. That ERA has mostly fluctuated in his last three starts in which he has struggled giving up 18 runs in 12 innings pitched.
As a pitcher who is capable of producing, a change of scenery and pitching for a contender could be exactly what he needs. If the Boston Red Sox have interest, they will probably have to outbid the New York Yankees who have interest.
The Philadelphia Phillies are also reportedly interested in the lefty. As a pending free agent following the season, J.A. Happ would just be a half season rental who could give the team at least a player who could replace Eduardo Rodriguez’s production in the rotation.
Cole Hamels, Texas Rangers
Don’t be surprised if the Boston Red Sox are linked to Texas Rangers starter Cole Hamels once again.
With the Rangers out of contention, Hamels is at the top of the list of players the team is willing to use as a trade chip. At 34 years old, the veteran lefty still has good stuff, but is not the No. 1 starter he was prior to signing his deal with the Rangers.
So far this season, he has a 4.05 ERA and has allowed 20 home runs in 17 starts. Not too enticing, but giving his playoff experience and veteran leadership, he could be worth adding to a rotation led by Chris Sale, David Price and Rick Porcello.
Like Happ, Hamels could also draw interest from the New York Yankees. Although he has partial veto power and can block a trade to the Yankees or Red Sox, his hunger to play for a contender could yield any desire to block that deal.
He could, however, return to the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies have reportedly expressed some interest in a reunion and they are also on the list of teams he can’t block a trade. The downside about a Hamels deal is that he may require the Red Sox to pick up his 2019 option.
That could be a deal breaker for the Red Sox as Hamels is on the wrong side of 30.
Chris Archer, Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Chris Archer is the pitcher most teams will be looking at. As an intriguing name on the list of available starting pitchers on the market, the 29-year-old Archer would be under contract until 2021 if a deal was made.
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This would be a low-risk, high-reward type option for the Boston Red Sox because he is a younger pitcher who would only cost around $31 million for the remaining years of his contract.
So why wouldn’t the Rays hold onto him?
That is a good question. But, Archer is currently set to return from the disabled list due to an abdominal strain and could bring the Rays back something of value if dealt now.
In 15 games started this season, he is 3-4 with a 4.29 ERA. Not great, but he is capable of being much better when health. In the Red Sox rotation, he would be a good option behind Rick Porcello. Like the pitchers mentioned prior, a change of scenery could help revive his command on the mound.
Along with the Red Sox, the New York Yankees have been mentioned as a team interested in the services of Chris Archer.
Jordan Zimmermann, Detroit Tigers
The one pitcher worth going over the luxury tax would be Detroit Tigers starter Jordan Zimmermann.
With the Tigers way out of contention, Zimmermann could be a player on the move. If he is available, then you better believe Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations will be sniffing around his former team for a possible deal.
If they could pry Zimmermann away from the Tigers, they would have to take on the remaining $50 million left on his contract. The Red Sox would also be adding a quality starter they have been linked to before in rumors.
With a 4-1 record and 3.71 ERA in 12 games started this season, the right-hander would be a great compliment to Chris Sale.
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If the Red Sox are willing to spend for a player to get them over the top, Zimmermann is that type of pitcher.
The only question is what they would have to give up to get him. That is if the Detroit Tigers are open to trade discussions.