The Boston Red Sox are clinging to a playoff spot. If the season ended today, the Sox would be in the playoffs for the first time since 2021 as the American League’s third wild-card team.
However, the playoff race is tight, with the red-hot Texas Rangers just half a game back and the Yankees and Mariners narrowly ahead. With the MLB trade deadline on Thursday, the Red Sox should prioritize winning now. To reach that goal, the team needs to acquire more starting pitching.
Coming into Spring Training, the team had a projected starting rotation of Garrett Crochet, Tanner Houck, Walker Buehler, Brayan Bello, and Lucas Giolitto. Since being acquired from the Chicago White Sox, Garrett Crochet has exceeded expectations, leading the major leagues in wins (12), strikeouts (175), and innings pitched (141.1), while looking like a Cy Young Award candidate all year long.
The rotation behind Crochet is a question mark. Tanner Houck is sidelined indefinitely due to right flexor soreness. Walker Buehler, who signed a one-year, $21 million free agent contract, has failed to live up to the deal thus far with a 6-6 record and a 5.72 ERA.
Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolitto are two bright spots in the rotation. Bello is 6-5 on the season with a 3.32 ERA, and Giolitto is 6-2 with a 3.97 ERA. But time will tell if both pitchers can continue their hot starts as the season progresses.
Beyond the original starting five, there have been season-ending injuries to prospect Hunter Dobbins and Kutter Crawford that have depleted the team’s once-promising pitching depth.
Red Sox Must Upgrade Starting Rotation at Trade Deadline
Luckily, there are several starting pitchers who could be traded before Thursday’s deadline, highlighted by Minnesota Twins starter Joe Ryan, a rumored Red Sox target.
Acquiring a reliable No. 2 starter — like Joe Ryan — would transform the Red Sox from a fringe contender to a legitimate October threat. If the team were to acquire a pitcher of Joe Ryan’s caliber (10-5, 2.82 ERA), they would have a dominant 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation that would terrorize hitters and help guarantee October baseball at Fenway this year.
With the trade deadline looming, Boston can’t afford to stand pat. Whether it's trading for Ryan or another proven hurler, something must be done.