Four Potential Red Sox Reunions To Watch For As Trade Deadline Nears

Boston could turn to some former friends to bolster the club

The Boston Red Sox have put themselves in the buying conversation as they ride a five-game winning streak that vaulted them to 48-43 before the All-Star Break, just two games back of an American League Wild Card spot.

If the Red Sox do intend to buy, they could turn to a few former players who appear to be available ahead of the Aug. 1 Major League Baseball trade deadline.

Unfortunately, there aren't many sluggers in the conversation, as the ones who are playing well are for the most part on contending teams. With that in mind, lets take a look at four hurlers who could be on the move.

Detroit Tigers starter Eduardo Rodriguez
The Red Sox desperately need starting pitching, and E-Rod appears to be amid a career year.

Rodriguez started the season about as strong as possible, posting a 2.13 ERA with a 67-to-16 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .205 batting average against in 67 2/3 innings across his first 11 starts.

He suffered a blister issue that cost him all of June and was roughed up by the historically bad Oakland Athletics in his first start back from injury (five earned runs in four innings).

Boston should ensure that E-Rod can get it going again before the deadline but if he does, they should be highly interested. The 30-year-old is expected to opt out of his deal over the offseason, essentially making him a rental and lowering his trade value.

Chicago White Sox reliever Joe Kelly
Kelly is one of the many pieces the White Sox are expected to ship off in their upcoming firesale, and a return to Boston would make sense.

Kelly has a 4.82 ERA with a 37-to-10 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .229 batting average against and 1.25 WHIP in 28 innings. While his ERA is high, he's really only been hurt by a handful of blow-up games. 20 of his 29 appearances this season have been scoreless.

What makes Kelly appealing is that he is under team control next season (with a $9.5 million club option), giving Boston a head start on next year's roster construction. It would also mean that if the Red Sox fail to go on a run in 2023, Boston did not damage their farm system for a lost year.

Colorado Rockies reliever Daniel Bard
Bard was an elite closer for Boston over a decade ago, and could return to a high-leverage role as the Red Sox attempt to build a three-headed monster with Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin. 

The 38-year-old veteran has a 1.76 ERA with a 26-to-24 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .168 batting average against and 1.34 WHIP. in 30 2/3 innings this season. His walk rate is concerning but he's been nearly unhittable -- making him a candidate to get out of big-time jams.

Bard is another player who could help the team next season, as he is under contract through 2024 for a hefty but fair value of $9.5 million

Pittsburgh Pirates starter Rich Hill
The Red Sox currently are using two openers each turn through the rotation as Chris Sale, Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock all sit on the injured list.

While it would not be a long-term move, it would be logical to acquire Hill to bolster the rotation and overall depth of the pitching staff. The southpaw would fit in the category of "buying" but would not cost a top prospect. 

Given how the team has played so far, it makes more sense to acquire the budget options should they go for it at the deadline. 

Hill has posted a serviceable 4.78 ERA with a 91-to-39 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .264 batting average against and 1.44 WHIP in 98 innings. His 93 ERA+ puts him in the innings-eater category for a team that could use one.

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Rodriguez and Bard could move the needle for a team that could use high-end arms. The other two are intriguing but you'd hope Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom could find more enticing options. 

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