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Still not sold on the Boston Red Sox starting rotation

By Cesar Fuentes

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 17: (NEW YIRK DAILIES OUT) Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 17, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 17: (NEW YIRK DAILIES OUT) Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 17, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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The Boston Red Sox finished in last place of a competitive AL East last season and going into the offseason, they prioritized two things: Re-signing Xander Bogaerts and extending Rafael Devers.

They failed to retain the Red Sox captain, but they did extend Devers which looks to be a step in the right direction.

Another aspect of the team that needed to be reworked, was their bullpen. Last season, the Red Sox bullpen had the sixth worst ERA in the league standing at 4.53.

Red Sox have major question marks in their starting rotation

So far this offseason, I think it’s safe to say that the Sox have definitely improved their bullpen with the addition of Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin, but they then added veteran pitcher Corey Kluber on a two-year deal.

Now, five years ago, I would be ecstatic if we added the two-time CY Young winner. Unfortunately, Kluber is not that guy anymore.

Since his last All-Star season back in 2018, Kluber has been plagued with injuries and because of that, has only pitched in 55 games with four different teams posting a 4.36 ERA.

If there’s one thing that the Red Sox seem to attract, it’s injuries to the pitching staff (which leads me to believe he might actually be a perfect fit!).

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Last season, Kluber pitched in the most games since 2018, but he had a 4.34 ERA and was in the bottom 35th percentile for K percentage and whiff percentage.

Along with Kluber, Boston is going to look to lean on Chris Sale to stay healthy, something in which he has struggled with recently. To be fair, however, he was set to come back last season, but because of a freak accident while pitching against the Yankees he had to miss the whole season.

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Another iffy rotation piece is Garrett Whitlock. The outstanding reliever-turned-starter struggled a bit last season as a starter, but to be fair he was injured that whole time.

Coming off of season ending hip surgery, Whitlock is another question mark this coming season in an already very uncertain rotation.

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