Red Sox Rumors: James Paxton an interesting trade deadline decision

The Boston Red Sox have shown everyone what the true definition of mediocrity is in an MLB season.

This team is 42-42, and still fighting to secure a Wild Card spot in the MLB playoffs. One minute, they run off a couple of six game winning streaks. The next minute, they rattle off five losses in a row. They are consistently inconsistent.

With the trade deadline coming up in exactly one month, this Red Sox organization has some tough decisions they have to make. One decision comes in the form of starting pitcher James Paxton.

Paxton hasn’t had an easy road since he signed with the Red Sox in 2022. He missed all of last season with injuries, but has proved to be a pleasant surprise for the starting rotation in 2023.

He has a club option in 2024, so that beckons the question: what should the Boston Red Sox do with James Paxton?

Boston Red Sox considering trading James Paxton at the trade deadline

If the Red Sox wanted to, they could trade Paxton to a contender that is a piece or two away from contending for a World Series title.

Think about it, right? James Paxton in nine starts this season is 4-1 with a 2.70 ERA and a 1.7 Wins Above Replacement (WAR). He has been a consistent part of the Red Sox rotation, along with  an up and coming star in Brayan Bello.

So could the Red Sox get some pieces for Paxton? Sure! What would that package look like? Probably a prospect or two, MAYBE an MLB ready player.

But if you’re building toward the future, then make the move at the trade deadline and see what you can get for the 34 year old left-handed starting pitcher.

Boston Red Sox considering keeping James Paxton for the rest of the season

Now on the other hand, the Boston Red Sox could make the bold move of keeping “Big Maple” for the rest of the season, thinking he could help the Red Sox somehow make the playoffs.

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If the Sox want to keep Paxton, then do what you need to do and buy at the trade deadline. Go get another starting pitcher or two and another bat to help you actually contend for a Wild Card spot.

Don’t “buy and sell”. Don’t waste the time of manager Alex Cora. And especially don’t waste the time of the players with a half-hearted effort. If you want to contend, keep Paxton and make some actual buying moves.

Red Sox could get some pieces for James Paxton

If I’m Chaim Bloom and this team continues to teeter-totter the .500 line, I trade Paxton to a contender and get the pieces back.

This Red Sox team just stays right around the .500 line. They need to pick a direction as an organization. Either go fully with the youth movement or try to get to the playoffs with the group you have and give them some extra help.

But we’ll see what the next few weeks hold for this Sox team. Maybe they go on a run where Bloom is forced to look for additional pieces to help for a playoff run. Maybe they go on a skid and it’s a full sell mode.

But for now, decide what to do with James Paxton first!