Underrated Ex-All-Star Reportedly Could Be Dealt; Red Sox May Be Interesting Trade Partner

Boston could look into adding a former All-Star hurler at the trade deadline

The Boston Red Sox certainly have been surprising this season.

Many expected the Red Sox to struggle this season and yet Boston already has surprised many and currently are just one-and-a-half games back of a Wild Card spot with an impressive 51-44 record. There are still a few weeks to go until the August 1 trade deadline and while things can change, it seems as though Boston will be looking to add. 

One of Boston's biggest areas of need right now is starting pitching. The Red Sox have been bitten by the injury bug in a major way this season and currently are without the services of Chris Sale, Garrett Whitlock, and Tanner Houck. While there are sure to be big names on the market like Chicago White Sox ace Lucas Giolito or Detroit Tigers lefty Eduardo Rodríguez, Boston is more likely to land a back-of-the-rotation arm to provide more depth. 

There's sure to be plenty of rumors flowing ahead of the deadline, but one player who reportedly could be on the move and could make sense for the Red Sox to acquire is Oakland Athletic's hurler Paul Blackburn, according to The Athletic's Chad Jennings. 

"This is my attempt to trade for a starting pitcher who has remaining years of team control without giving up one of the top six or seven prospects in the Red Sox system," Jennings said. "But, I’m not entirely sure how to value Blackburn. He’s coming off a nice year (but that was basically unprecedented) and he’s made only seven starts this season. He would solidify the back of the Red Sox rotation, though, and he’s arbitration-eligible for the next two years.

"Is that a worthwhile target for this team? And is this prospect package — a couple of bat-first players, one of whom (Enmanuel Valdez) could step into the A’s lineup right away — a fair return? Too much because of (Blaze Jordan’s) upside? Too light because the A’s would insist on someone like Shane Drohan?"

There's no way to know for sure what will happen, but a move for Blackburn could be interesting. Jennings built hypothetical trades the Red Sox could make depending on their deadline decisions and a deal for Blackburn fell under the "Buy: practical addition that still comes at a cost." 

Blackburn has somewhat struggled this season and has made just eight starts and has appeared in nine games overall and has compiled a 5.48 ERA. The 29-year-old was an All-Star in 2022 in what was his most healthy big league season. His number may not jump off the page, but he could be a solid fifth starter for Boston and provide the club with a dependable arm if he can stay healthy. 

More MLB: Red Sox Reportedly Linked To Former Fan-Favorite Fireballer In Possible Deadline Deal