Boston Red Sox Rumors: 3 Marlins players to target at MLB Trade Deadline
Boston Red Sox Trade Target No. 1: Pablo Lopez
In terms of long-term value, Pablo Lopez may be the best option available on the market. After struggling to find any sort of consistency early on in his career, the 25 year old has had a breakout season in Miami, and was probably snubbed of a deserved All-Star spot.
After posting an ugly 5.09 ERA just two seasons ago, Lopez has lowered his ERA by two full runs this season to a cool 3.03. His record is just 5-5, but that’s what you get when you play a cellar-dweller like the Marlins. He has already hit a career high with 111 strikeouts, with his most recent impressive feat being striking out nine straight batters against the Atlanta Braves, which is an MLB record.
https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1414285306312986628
Best of all Lopez is just 25, and is under team control through arbitration for the next three seasons. He will be due for a raise, as he’s criminally underpaid making just $595,000 this season, but the ability to keep him with the team for the next three seasons only adds to his value. If the Sox want a long-term option rather than a rental, Lopez is their guy.
Boston’s rotation has begun to falter as of late, and even though they recently promoted Tanner Houck and appear set to be getting Chris Sale back at some point next month, you can never have too much pitching. Lopez offers the ability to stick around the rotation for not only the rest of this season, but the next few seasons as well. He’s also just 25, and could turn into Boston’s next ace if things break the right way.
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Even as the Marlins labor through another losing season, Lopez may not be made available at the trade deadline. If he is, the Red Sox should absolutely be in the market for his services. Rarely do you have the opportunity to snag a player who is performing now, and has the potential to be a part of the team for seasons to come. But the Sox have that here with Lopez, and they should absolutely make a move for him if the opportunity presents itself.