Red Sox Linked To All-Star Caliber Pitcher In Potential Reunion At Trade Deadline
The Boston Red Sox have done just enough to add at the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline on Aug. 1 and pitching is at the forefront of the club's needs.
Boston currently is rolling out two openers per rotation turn with Chris Sale, Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock on the injured list. While all three are expected to return this season, the Red Sox aren't in a position to wait around and could benefit from at least one of the two latter options moving back to the bullpen if an external addition is made.
The Red Sox reportedly are looking for starting pitching and a right-handed reliever. They need a starting pitcher to slot behind Brayan Bello and James Paxton, a former friend could be the perfect candidate.
While coming up with potential landing spots for some of the top commodities expected to be on the move MLB.com's Mark Feinsand listed Eduardo Rodriguez as a fit to rejoin the Red Sox, with the Milwaukee Brewers and Baltimore Orioles deemed fits as well.
"Rodriguez can opt out of the final three years and $49 million of his contract, and based on his performance this season (2.69 ERA in 14 starts), that seems like a near certainty," Feinsand wrote Tuesday. "The southpaw seems to be back in a groove after returning from the injured list, making him a popular option among the available starters."
The 30-year-old starter has done everything he could to raise his value this season, posting an aforementioned 2.69 ERA with an incredible 88-to-18 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .207 batting average against and 0.97 WHIP in 83 2/3 innings across 14 starts.
Rodriguez is putting together the best season of his career but will not garner the highest prospect capital possible because teams are well aware of the likelihood that he opts out this winter -- which will be just about 100% barring a major injury.
If Boston wants to acquire a quality starter and then possibly extend them in the offseason, Rodriguez would make a lot of sense. No organization knows E-Rod as well as the Red Sox.
Based on reports and the history of Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom's career, it does not sound like a trade the organization would make this week. Unfortunately, they appear to be aiming lower but could be convinced to make the move if Rodriguez's market is smaller than anticipated.
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