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

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DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JUNE 26: Michael Fulmer #32 of the Detroit Tigers (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

Boston Red Sox Trade Target No. 2: Michael Fulmer

It’s been quite a comeback season for Michael Fulmer so far. Just a season removed from posting a hideous 8.78 ERA, Fulmer has found a new role in the bullpen, and has exceled for much of the season. Although the last two months of his season have been deterred due to injuries, Fulmer has reinvented himself as a solid middle innings reliever, which is precisely what the Boston
Red Sox need.

The former Rookie of the Year currently has a 4.05 ERA, which admittedly isn’t great, but is inflated due to a couple of rough outings in between stints on the injured list where he didn’t look fully healthy. If Fulmer can get healthy, he should be able to reach some of the heights he was hitting earlier in the season.

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Fulmer has never really been a strikeout pitcher throughout his career, but he’s been more aggressive this season, leading to him racking up 42 strikeouts in just 40 innings. This has helped him reinvent his style, sort of similar to what we have seen from Matt Barnes this season.

Similar to Peralta, Fulmer offers versatility in the fact that he is a starter turned reliever. Fulmer has been called upon for multiple inning outings this season, and he’s also been called on for saves. That’s versatility that Boston just doesn’t have right now.

Fulmer’s stamina may need to be built up again if Boston wants to use him as a jack-of-all-trades type of guy in the pen and potentially rotation, but even if they don’t, he’s proven to be a solid bullpen arm. He’s still just 28, meaning he has some upside compared to other potential targets, especially considering how good he was during his first two seasons. If Fulmer can find his way back from his injuries, he could be the perfect addition for the Boston Red Sox.

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