The Red Sox are entering the final day before the MLB trade deadline still very much in the thick of the A.L. playoff picture, and with much of the league sagging around .500 these days, a bold move could be what it takes to put the team over the top. At 58-51, the Red Sox are a game behind the Yankees for the top spot in the wild-card chase, and 5.0 games behind the Blue Jays for the AL East crown.
Boston has several needs to fill, including a first baseman with some pop and a backup catcher. But, like most teams in the playoffs hunt, what the Red Sox truly need is pitching–a starter (heck, maybe two) and at least one reliever.
And with that need comes some interest in the pitcher who could well be the best on the current market–Pirates 2023 All-Star Mitch Keller.
Mitch Keller Off the MLB Trade Market?
While the belief is that the Red Sox will seek a short-term rental to help power them through the rest of the schedule, Keller is a bit different–he is under contract beyond this season, at a reasonable $15.4 million per year. The Red Sox would only deal for him if they saw him as a future rotation piece, as he is signed through 2026.
Keller has a good resume, but has only been so-so this season. He leads the league with 22 starts, but has gone 4-10. The Pirates have been a poor team, though, so the more important numbers are his solid ERA (3.69) and WHIP (1.205).
That’s obviously of interest to the Red Sox, who, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, have reached out on a deal with the Pirates. According to Noah Hiles of the paper, “Multiple teams still remain interested, with the Yankees, Cubs, Mets and Red Sox all having reached out.”
But, Hiles reports, it is more likely that the Pirates will keep Keller and perhaps trade him in the offseason.
Red Sox Still Seeking Pitching
If Keller is unobtainable, insider Jon Heyman of the New York Post still says there will be a strong pitching market, and the Red Sox will be in on it, with Charlie Morton as a target.
Heyman wrote: “Some of the more coveted starters aren’t having their best years — including Zac Gallen (5.60 ERA), Charlie Morton (5.48) and Sandy Alcantara (6.66). But with strong track records (and a playoff résumé in Morton’s case), plus a weak starter market, all are drawing significant interest. … The Red Sox, Mets, Yankees, Astros, Padres and Rays are among possibilities for Morton.”
Backup Catcher a Priority
As for other positions, MassLive’s Sean McAdam has reported that the Red Sox are pursuing a backup catcher, with rookie Carlos Narvaez possibly wearing down. That could lead to an old fried, Christian Vazquez, who was with the Red Sox for eight seasons, from 2014-22.
McAdam noted: “Finding a catcher may not be a huge priority for the Red Sox, who are largely focused on pitching — both starters and relievers. But the Red Sox would like to obtain a second catcher whom they could play more frequently than they’re playing Connor Wong, if for no other reason to provide a breather for starter Carlos Narvaez …
“Minnesota’s Christian Vázquez would be welcomed back. He wouldn’t cost much..”
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