The Boston Red Sox entered MLB games today with a top-10 lineup but ranked 17th in ERA, 22nd in quality starts and 18th in WHIP. With the MLB trade deadline closing in, pitching is reportedly centered on Boston’s radar.
Adding pitching will be imperative for the Red Sox to have a shot at the playoffs. In the latest MLB playoff picture, Boston is two games behind the third wild card spot in the American League.
It’s not just an issue with the starting rotation or the bullpen. Boston’s starting pitchers rank 22nd in ERA (4.72) this season, responsible for a 1.27 WHIP with a .252 batting average allowed to opponents. Meanwhile, the Red Sox bullpen has the sixth-lowest ERA (3.69) in the majors but it hasn’t been as sharp as of late.
According to Chad Jennings of The Athletic, Boston is at least open to trading Adam Duvall and the front office is debating the merits of trading James Paxton. As for what the Red Sox are looking for, Jennings notes that a majority of the trade targets are pitchers with “several years of team control.”
Duvall has been an effective hitter in limited opportunities this season. Across 150 at-bats, the veteran outfielder has a 123 wRC+ with a .260/.325/.527 slash line and a .852 OPS. If Duvall is moved, Boston would make Jarren Duran its everyday center fielder with Rob Refsnyder receiving more playing time.
Part of the calculation for the Red Sox with Paxton is his future with the team. After declining his 2024 contract option, Paxton will become a free agent this winter. Fearing he could sign with another team, Boston might believe now is the best time to move Paxton. However, he’s been excellent on the mound (3.34 ERA, 10.29 K/9) this season as a starter.
The issue for the Red Sox at the trade deadline is what they’re targeting. Young starting pitchers with multiple years of contractual control cost significantly more to acquire than veteran starters on expiring contracts. Boston already has a depleted farm system and it would need to further tap into that to land an impact starter.
