Former Cy Young Award Winner Available; Red Sox Could Make Move To Bolster Rotation

Should the Red Sox take a chance on a former Cy Young Award winner?

The Boston Red Sox surprised people with their lack of 2023 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline moves but that doesn't mean another addition couldn't be on the way.

Boston was rumored to be extremely active ahead of the trade deadline but the club only made a couple of trades for depth. The Red Sox are just one-and-a-half games out of an American League Wild Card spot and are starting to get healthier, but it wouldn't hurt to add more pitching depth. One player who could make sense as a free agent for the Red Sox is former Cy Young Award winner who recently opted out of his contract with the Minnesota Twins, according to The Athletic's Britt Ghiroli. 

"Dallas Keuchel has officially opted out of his contract with the Twins," Ghiroli said.

Keuchel at one point was one of baseball's most dominant left-handed pitchers but has struggled at the big league level over the last two seasons. The big lefty compiled a 5.28 ERA in 32 appearances with the Chicago White Sox in 2021 and a 9.20 ERA across 14 starts with the White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Texas Rangers last season. 

The 35-year-old has not yet pitched at the big league level in 2023 but has shown that he still has some gas in the tank at the minor league level. Keuchel signed a minor league contract with the Twins this season and made six starts with the Triple-A Saint Paul Saints and posted a minuscule 1.13 ERA. Boston has been linked to Keuchel in the past so it wouldn't be too surprising to see the club make a move. 

The Red Sox shortly will have Chris Sale, Tanner Houck, and Garrett Whitlock back but adding someone of Keuchel's caliber may make sense. The Red Sox likely could add him on a cheap deal and he could be a veteran back-of-the-rotation guy with upside. It's unclear if a move will happen, but it could make sense as Boston looks to get back to the postseason.

More MLB: Ex-Red Sox Star Shockingly Refused Trade To Dodgers Prior To Deadline