Red Sox Linked To Cy Young Winner Who Would Fit Perfectly With Boston's Outlook

Boston could desperately use a frontline starter

Scott Neville | Jul 13, 2023

Red Sox Linked To Cy Young Winner Who Would Fit Perfectly With Boston's Outlook /

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The Boston Red Sox will need to invest heavily in starting pitching to compete in the loaded American League East. Fortunately, there's at least one high-end starter who would fit into the Red Sox's plans in the present and future.

The Red Sox could solve a lot of their problems by attempting to land Cleveland Guardians right-hander Shane Bieber, who would be a short and long-term fit in Boston.

If Cleveland falls out of contention over the next two weeks they could be willing to offload their biggest trade chip,"

Baseball Essential's Kade Kistner

wrote Thursday.

"Bieber owns a 3.77 ERA in 19 starts this season, and more importantly, is under team control through the 2024 season. He would require a substantial haul to acquire, but Bieber would immediately reinforce the Red Sox rotation for two postseason runs.

With Chris Sale, Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock all hurt, Boston has been forced to use openers regularly throughout the past few weeks. Bieber fills a need and his contract fits right in with the front office's future plans."

Whitlock and Houck appear to be best suited for relief roles. If the Red Sox could get enough starting pitching, there's a chance one or both could move back into the bullpen. I'd put my money on Houck, who manager Alex Cora already has been weary of bringing back into the rotation -- largely due to his ineffectiveness the third time through the order.

Bieber would be a great addition to the Red Sox's pitching staff, creating a dynamic 1-2-3 punch with Brayan Bello and James Paxton.

The 28-year-old has a 3.77 ERA with a 95-to-33 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .253 batting average against and 1.25 WHIP in 117 innings across 19 starts.

Bieber would be a buy-low candidate as his numbers -- which would still make him a frontline starter in Boston -- are the worst he's posted since his rookie year.

Over his career, Bieber is 59-32 with a 3.26 ERA, 27.8% strikeout rate, 5.6% walk rate, .236 batting average against and 1.12 WHIP across 132 games (130 starts). If Boston could add that caliber of player into the starting rotation with Sale, Houck and Whitlock on the way back, they absolutely could be in line for a Wild Card spot.

The best part? Even if the 2023 season does not go as planned, Bieber will be in the Red Sox's rotation for 2024 as well.

Bieber would not cost the massive package the Guardians could have acquired a year ago, meaning the Red Sox could feasibly trade for Bieber while retaining Triston Casas, Brayan Bello, Marcelo Mayer, Miguel Bleis and Roman Anthony -- who is entering the "untouchable category" with his play this season. That would not have been the case last season.

The Red Sox would be wise to target players with multiple years of team control, as they are in the hunt this year but primed to be much better in 2024. If they are going to use their farm system to improve the roster, they mine as well expand their window by at least another year -- even if it costs more. Adding Bieber would be a textbook example of that plan.

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

Published Jul 13, 2023

SCOTT NEVILLE

Scott Neville covers the Boston Red Sox for Sports Illustrated's new page "Inside The Red Sox." Before starting "Inside The Red Sox", Neville attended Merrimack College, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media with a minor in Marketing. Neville spent all four years with Merrimack's radio station WMCK, where he grew as a radio/podcast host and producer. His propensity for being in front of a microphone eventually expanded to film, where he produced multiple short films alongside his then-roommate and current co-worker Stephen Mottram. On a journey that began as a way to receive easy credits via film classes, he received a call from "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" star Charlie Day. Day advised him to make a feature-length film, which he completed his senior year. While writing the film, Neville completed an internship for United Way as part of their NFL Partnership Program. Neville ran the blog for a team of interns and hosted an internet show called "United Way's NFL Partnership Series" where he interviewed NFL alumni. After college Neville wrote for SB Nation's "Over The Monster," a Red Sox sister site of the flagship brand. His work would eventually lead him to a job as a content producer with NESN, where he would cover all sports. After developing as a writer with the top regional network in the world, he was given the opportunity to join the Sports Illustrated Media Group in his current endeavor as the publisher of "Inside The Red Sox." The successful launch and quick rise of "Inside The Red Sox" led to Neville joining the Baseball Essential ownership group, a national baseball site under SIMG. Follow him on Twitter: @ScottNeville46 Email: nevilles@merrimack.edu