The Boston Red Sox have authored a season filled with contrasting chapters. Their future looked uncertain just weeks ago, when they went through a brutal 3-7 stretch. This slide followed the franchise-altering trade of Rafael Devers. The team stumbled to a 40-43 record, sparking conversation about a deadline sale. But a recent 10-game winning streak before the All-Star break has completely rewritten the script. Now, Boston is just 3.0 games behind the top of the AL East. It’s a sudden U-turn that has forced a buyer’s mindset upon them.
This newly discovered aggression tests the discipline of Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow. His front office has already made a massive move for a starter in Garrett Crochet. Four top prospects, including Kyle Teel and Braden Montgomery, were sent to Chicago in the Dec. 11 blockbuster. Boston then signed Crochet to a massive six-year, $170 million extension. As noted in a recent article, that move is now guiding their deadline approach. The report stated, “If Craig Breslow and company don’t want to part ways with another prospect-heavy package like they did in the Garrett Crochet deal, the rental market could be the best way to improve the rotation.”
That hesitancy means a player like Minnesota’s Joe Ryan is just out of reach. On paper, the All-Star would seem to be the perfect piece for Boston. But Red Sox insider, Chris Cotillo, reports the asking price for the young ace “will be insane.” The Twins have no reason to sell low on a star they can keep until 2027. And this prohibitive sum has caused the Red Sox to turn elsewhere. Now they are seeking a new kind of reward. This new way may be the key to a deep playoff run.
Boston will probably shift gears to the rental market, according to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. He considers the expense for players such as Ryan to be a significant obstacle. “The guess here is that the Red Sox, while willing to push for controllable options, instead find the market to be prohibitive and push for a high-floor rental,” Cotillo penned. He cited five potential targets who fit this profile. They are Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Seth Lugo, Andrew Heaney, and Charlie Morton. Cotillo added, they “would all help the group while not breaking the bank.”
Among those veterans, one 41-year-old on a $15 million deal presents the most compelling case. His season has been a true tale of two halves.
Baltimore’s Charlie Morton represents a calculated risk with an enormous potential reward. His season with the Orioles started as a complete disaster. In his first nine starts, Morton had a terrible 9.48 ERA. He was even temporarily sent to the bullpen. But he has been one of baseball’s top pitchers since the end of May. Over his last 52 innings, he has posted an elite 2.60 ERA with a 2.85 FIP. This turnaround isn’t all luck, though — there’s an obvious mechanical adjustment to it.
What makes Morton valuable is the difference in his profile among the rentals. And while the likes of Merrill Kelly and Seth Lugo give them reliability, Morton provides a bit of elite, playoff-tested seasoning. He also steers clear of the high-risk, high-cost proposition of a reclamation project like Zac Gallen. Unlike other veterans, he has a long and proven record of success in high-leverage situations. He represents the ideal combination of affordable and championship experience. In that respect, Morton isn’t merely an innings-eater.
Bolstering a shaky foundation for the Red Sox
The Red Sox have a clear need for a good starting pitcher. Their rotation is deep at the top, but doesn’t have the back end to match. Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello, and Lucas Giolito make up a strong top three. The three have pitched well enough to be playoff-caliber for Boston. The problem has been deep behind them. This is where the most immediate vulnerability exists on the team, and it places an extreme amount of strain on the bullpen.
The struggles start with free-agent acquisition Walker Buehler. His 6.11 ERA has been an epic disappointment. The season-ending ACL injury to Hunter Dobbins was further crushing. His departure left the club leaning on underseasoned arms like Richard Fitts. There’s no way that a team with championship aspirations can survive without a reliable fourth or a fifth starter. A veteran arm that can eat innings and bolster the staff for the second half.
The shopping list in Boston isn’t exclusive to pitching. The front office has also decided it would welcome “more pop” from the infield. Fallback options at first base, such as Baltimore’s Ryan Mountcastle and Washington’s Nathaniel Lowe, have been discussed. The team is also likely to reel in a veteran reliever to aid closer Aroldis Chapman. A Red Sox official plainly stated, “We’re trying to win.” This mindset makes a calculated gamble on a player like Charlie Morton not just possible, but logical.
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