The Boston Red Sox have turned their season around following the Rafael Devers blockbuster trade a few weeks ago, and it has the team ready to buy at the trade deadline.
Boston needs to add at first base, which has been a hole on the roster all season. The Red Sox could also look to add a few arms to the bullpen. Adding relievers at the deadline is typically a staple for any contending team at the deadline.
But the biggest hole on Boston’s roster is in its starting rotation. There have been injuries and poor performances that have caused the Red Sox to aggressively look for pitching this season.
WEEI’s Rob Bradford recently reported the Red Sox had shown interest in trading for Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline.
Gallen, 29, is in the final year of his contract before hitting free agency at the end of the campaign. He’s made 22 starts and holds a 5.60 ERA. It’s by far the worst ERA of Gallen’s seven-year big league career.
Kelly, 36, has been much better than Gallen. He holds an impressive 3.22 ERA in 22 starts. The righty has been dominant at times while pitching at the top of the rotation.
Kelly would be the safer of the two options, but Gallen has the potential to return to his former self. If Gallen can do that, he would be a huge addition to Boston’s rotation.
It’s unclear what the asking price would be for either star pitcher. The Red Sox need to add an arm, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see them pull off a trade with the Diamondbacks on Wednesday or Thursday.