In order to improve their starting rotation going into this season, the Boston Red Sox exploited free agency and the trade block. In a major transaction, Boston acquired Walker Buehler from the Los Angeles Dodgers and added Garrett Crochet.
Due to Buehler’s struggles and the Red Sox’s mounting injury list, a couple rookies who haven’t proven themselves were given the ball early in the season. Hunter Dobbins and Richard Fitts, two rookies, haven’t performed poorly, but the Red Sox probably don’t want them in the playoff rotation.
Joseph Zucker of Bleacher Report recently indicated that the Red Sox could target Michael King, a starter for the San Diego Padres, as he would be far less expensive to trade for than Dylan Cease, his teammate.
“Especially if Walker Buehler’s production is any indication, more pitching will be needed for Boston,” Zucker stated. “The team’s chances of selecting another established No. 1 or No. 2 starter are likely slim because they already made their major rotational move by signing Garrett Crochet and then offering him a $170 million deal.
“The Red Sox could be another candidate for Woodruff or even King because the cost, in terms of raw dollars and trade assets, for either is going to be less than with Cease.”
King would significantly improve Boston’s rotation, and the Red Sox probably wouldn’t have to spend a fortune to acquire him. Boston might be able to lure King to Fenway Park by combining three promising prospects. The Red Sox would have the first opportunity to sign King to a new contract in the upcoming offseason, which would only help Boston’s situation.
