Ex-Red Sox Top Prospect Could Be Traded; Reunion With Flamethrower Makes Sense

Should the Red Sox consider a reunion with the hard-throwing righty?

Apr 9, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech (34) throws a pitch / Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The 2024 season is in full swing and it's never too early to start taking a look at possible trade candidates.

The Chicago White Sox are one of the worst teams in baseball with a 2-12 record and likely will be sellers ahead of the trade deadline. If they do go into full rebuild mode, there are a couple of trade options that could make sense for the Boston Red Sox.

Boston has had a roller coaster start to the 2024 season but has plenty of talent on the roster. One area of the club that still could use some work is the bullpen. Boston has been dealing with some injuries but the club currently has the seventh-ranked bullpen ERA at 3.24.

Another addition could go a long way and Chicago reportedly could end up trading old friend Michael Kopech, according to USA Today Sports' Bob Nightengale.

"The White Sox may have a valuable trade chip on the market this summer with Michael Kopech, who has been lights out since being moved to the bullpen," Nightengale said.

Kopech was selected in the first round of the 2014 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft by the Red Sox and was one of the club's top prospects before being traded to Chicago in the deal centered around star pitcher Chris Sale.

The young flamethrower has shown plenty of potential and began his big-league career as a starting pitcher. He was moved to the bullpen ahead of the 2024 season and has shined with a 2.16 ERA and 12-to-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio in six appearances so far this season.

If the White Sox do end up trading the young righty, Boston should at least give them a call to see what the price tag would be.

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