Underrated Local Stud Could Be Answer For Struggling Red Sox's Rotation Questions

Boston could make a move for a local hurler to bolster its rotation

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Red Sox are sure to be busy around the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline. 

Boston has somewhat struggled as of late and has dropped three straight contests against the lowly Cincinnati Reds entering Thursday night's series finale, but still is above .500 at 28-27. 

The Red Sox entered 2023 with low expectations, but already have shown flashes of impressive play and should only get better as the club starts to get healthier and the team makes a move or two around the trade deadline. Boston is expected to be busy around the trade deadline and one area the club could address is the starting rotation.

Boston's rotation has struggled with inconsistent play and injuries this season but has started to take a turn for the better. Although this is the case, a move for a starter would make sense as the club looks to get back to the postseason. One underrated hurler that could make sense for the Red Sox is Cleveland Guardians righty, Aaron Civale. 

The Red Sox's rotation could use a boost and although there are plenty of big names potentially available like Chicago White Sox ace Lucas Giolito or former Red Sox hurler and currently Detroit Tigers hurler Eduardo Rodriguez, but the competition for players of their caliber might be too much for the Red Sox to meet. 

Civale is 27 years old and under team control until 2026 and if the Guardians were to deal him likely would ask for a large haul, but it would likely be less than the likes of Giolito, Rodriguez, or even fellow Guardians hurler Shane Bieber. The righty is a five-year veteran and has flashes throughout his young career. Civale has made just two starts this season but pitched to a 2.84 ERA before suffering an injury. He now is healthy and set to return to the mound so hopefully, he can keep up his level of play. 

The 27-year-old has a career ERA of 4.04 in 65 starts for Cleveland and already has two seasons with an ERA below 4.00 in his career, not including 2023. Civale also has a familiarity with the area. He grew up in Connecticut and played college baseball right in Boston with the Northeastern University Huskies. Civale has plenty of potential and could give the Red Sox another middle-of-the-rotation hurler with upside. If the Red Sox were to make a move, it could move one of its current starters -- like Tanner Houck or Garrett Whitlock -- to the bullpen to help improve it even more. 

There's no way for sure to know what the Red Sox will do, but a move for a pitcher makes sense and Civale could be a solid option ahead of the deadline.

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