Boston Red Sox Rumors: 3 Tigers targets at MLB Trade Deadline

The Boston Red Sox will kick off their final series before the MLB Trade Deadline tonight against the Toronto Blue Jays, and they could end up having a few new faces on the team by the time it wraps up. With the series to set to conclude a day before the Trade Deadline, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Boston do some of their trade work during this series.

Of course, by now we should all understand Boston will be buyers if anything at the deadline. Fresh off one of the most impressive comebacks of the season against the New York Yankees, the Sox find themselves a top the AL East with just over two months left in the season. Their top needs heading into the deadline are probably at first base and in the bullpen.

A potential partner to help them address those needs would be the Detroit Tigers. Despite reeling off an impressive seven game win streak to start the second half of the season, Detroit still finds themselves sitting 13 games out of first place in the AL Central. Already embarked on a lengthy rebuild, it would be wise for Detroit to sell off some of their veteran pieces at the deadline.

That’s why Boston should be in constant communication with the Tigers. Boston doesn’t have a ton of needs, but the ones they do have could have potential solutions thanks to the Tigers. Here are three players on Detroit that Boston should look to purse at the trade deadline.

Boston Red Sox Trade Target No. 3: Wily Peralta

After finding himself out of baseball for a year and then starting off the season in the minors, it’s safe to say Wily Peralta has massively exceeded expectations so far. Peralta has only pitched in eight games, but he has been superb so far, and could end up being Detroit’s most valuable trade chip when all is said and done.

Of the eight games Peralta has appeared in, he has started seven of them, posting a solid 2.56 ERA in the process. He only has 23 strikeouts so far, but he’s done a great job at getting batters out by pitching to bats and inducing soft contact.

Obviously, the small sample size is a huge risk here. Peralta has been solid so far, but he just got smacked around by the Kansas City Royals in his most recent start, and he may have just had a few good starts that were flukes. But Peralta offers versatility that may help Boston out down the stretch, even if his effectiveness wanes.

Peralta has shown an ability to be used in pretty much every spot known to man in the bullpen as well as being a starter. Heck, he even had 14 saves in 2018 when he was pitching for the Royals. If Peralta is needed as a starter, then start him. If he’s needed late in games to help protect lead, he’s shown he can do that too.

The Tigers will be looking to sell high on Peralta’s short track record, and it may ultimately prevent him from being dealt. He’s a risky option for Boston, but if the price is right, he may be worth taking a flier on. Not many pitchers in the league offer what Peralta offers, and he could become a valuable arm on a playoff team later on this season.