Red Sox linked to $18 million two-time All-Star ace as massive upgrade from Lucas Giolito originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

One of the Boston Red Sox’ main goals this offseason is to find another starting pitcher to be the No. 2 in their rotation. He’ll also have to be a replacement for Lucas Giolito, who is probably going to opt out of his contract and test free agency.

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Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer believes the Sox can get a massive upgrade from Giolito in Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez, who is slated to be the top free agent pitcher of the offseason.

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“Yet it’s more likely he will turn it down and become a free agent, which would leave Boston with a hole to fill in its rotation after Crochet. He would need a proper No. 2 behind him, a role that neither Giolito nor Bello was perfectly suited for this season. Because their infield ranked fourth from the bottom of MLB with -20 Outs Above Average, the Red Sox aren’t an ideal match for Valdez’s ground-ball style. But with chief baseball officer Craig Breslow committed to improving the defense, the Red Sox could add Valdez as part of a broader project,” Rymer wrote.

This season, Valdez had a true meltdown in the final stretch, posting a 3.66 ERA, a record of 13-11, a WHIP of 1.245, and 187 Ks over 192 innings pitched. Before the trade deadline, when the meltdown started, Valdez was a monster. He posted a record of 11-4, a 2.62 ERA, and 141 Ks.

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If the Sox can really upgrade their defense, Valdez seems like an interesting choice to put behind Garret Crochet. If he also makes sure he doesn’t have another meltdown, it would be pretty unfair for any offense that had to face the duo back-to-back.

Hopefully, the Sox give it a go, just to see what he would want, and if they could get the defensive upgrades they need for Valdez to work. However, if they don’t, no harm, no foul. They can always look elsewhere for their White Whale.

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