The Boston Red Sox are in need of starting pitching. They can still make a postseason push, but they will have to address their needs at the trade deadline.
The Red Sox starters have given the team a 4.29 ERA. Garrett Crochet has been the lone bright spot, pitching to a 2.06 ERA. Craig Breslow recently noted that the team trading Rafael Devers is not an indication of them giving up on the season. Despite losing five straight, the Red Sox are 2 1/2 games out of a wild card spot.
If they are within striking distance of a postseason berth when the July 31 deadline arrives, they could target starting pitchers. FanSided’s Brian Burrows tabbed Zac Gallen of the Arizona Diamondbacks as a “dream” target for the Red Sox.
Gallen has a 5.75 ERA this season. He is going to be a free agent after the year ends and is projected to sign a six-year, $116 million deal. The Diamondbacks may not be interested in paying him after giving Corbin Burnes a $210 million deal in the offseason. The question will be whether or not the Diamondbacks want to sell at the deadline.
The Diamondbacks are not out of the postseason race yet. However, injuries to Burnes and Corbin Carroll have put them in a tough spot. If they want to make the postseason, they face an uphill battle. Gallen would be one of the prime candidates to be traded, despite his struggles.
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“The Sox could easily buy low on Gallen and try to turn him around down the stretch,” wrote Burrows. “He led the Snakes’ pitching staff to the World Series in 2023, something an inexperienced pitching staff may covet in October. Despite the down season, he is getting more whiffs on all his breaking balls this year, just not getting hitters to chase as much. Gallen would easily slide into the No. 2 spot in the rotation and give Boston a formidable one-two punch down the stretch.”
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