The Boston Red Sox pushed their rivals, the New York Yankees, to the brink in the ALWS, but the team ran out of healthy pitchers. Boston lost starting pitcher Lucas Giolito right before the start of the postseason.
His injury and team outlook likely put the team in a rough position for this offseason. Tanner Houck also had to undergo Tommy John surgery in early August and will likely miss the entire season next year. The Red Sox will be forced to make some moves regarding their pitching this offseason.
How the Red Sox Can Find Their New Pitching Star
This season was a big season for the Red Sox, as it showed their potential to contend for a World Series title while being hopeful for what may come in the future. The future won’t be bright as long as they don’t have a concrete answer for a second-leading pitcher behind Garrett Crochet.
There are several options Boston can turn to for their next star. The San Diego Padres have two of their more reliable and expensive pitchers, Dylan Cease and Michael King, who are about to be free agents. Like the Red Sox, the Padres lost in their respective division round of the playoffs on Wednesday.
Section 10 Podcast host Tyler Milliken talked about what pitching options the Red Sox should go for this offseason on 98.5. the day after the Red Sox were knocked out of the playoffs.
Dylan Cease, Michael King, if you hear me right there now, I want one of you. Bring me one of them. Dylan Cease, you already went after him. They already checked with him during the offseason. They checked with him at the regular season at the trade deadline with the (Jarren) Duran packages. Yes, the ERA is in the 4’s, I understand. You look underneath the hood. The fit, the K/9; all the things they love. He’s exactly their type. I do think if you need to trade assets, you’re probably doing it for a bat or a pitcher. Just pick one of them.”
Likelihood of Dylan Cease or Michael King joining the Red Sox
Cease came into the 2025 season as one of the top two pitching options for the Padres. In 168 innings and 32 games started, Cease allowed 152 hits, 85 runs, with 21 of them being home runs, and 71 walks while delivering 215 strikeouts. He finished with one of the highest ERAs on the team (4.55), who pitched more than 43 innings this season, excluding Yu Darvish (5.38). Cease had a difficult season but had some great moments.
Cease was traded from the Chicago White Sox in mid-March of 2024. During that time, the only new contract he received from Padres‘ management was to avoid arbitration this past January for a one-year $13.75 million contract. Cease will likely move on in hopes of playing for a World Series contender and potentially get a long-term contract. The Red Sox could be right there for Cease to lock up long-term.
King might be looking to get more opportunities behind the mound next season. He might be able to accomplish this with a team outside of the Padres organization. The Padres have utilized King as a backend starting pitcher this season, starting in 15 games and playing in 73.1 innings. Boston might look to him as one of their top pitchers this next season, potentially along with Cease or another high-end pitcher.
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