Ken Rosenthal predicts bold Red Sox move for former Astros veteran

Plenty of teams hopeful for a postseason run in the fall will be looking for a starting pitcher ahead of the MLB trade deadline. Players will be on the move, and one MLB insider predicts that a former Houston Astro will stay in the American League to bolster a contender. 

After a rollercoaster first half of the 2025 season, the Boston Red Sox are three games out of first place in the AL East. Nonetheless, one area that Boston could look to improve on is its starting pitching.

The Red Sox have Garrett Crochet as their No. 1 guy, but if they want to punch their ticket to the postseason, they'll need to shape the starting rotation behind him. Signing Walker Buehler this past offseason hasn't worked out for Boston, with the former Los Angeles Dodger pitcher posting a 6.12 ERA. 

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While speaking on FOX Sports, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal stated that the Red Sox, who are on a 10-game win streak, probably don't need to aim for a No. 2 pitcher to form a duo with Crochet. Moreover, Rosenthal predicts that the Red Sox will be looking to reunite manager Alex Cora with veteran starting pitcher Charlie Morton, who spent two seasons with the Astros.

"[Boston are] only three games out in the AL East, and a couple of weeks ago, things might have looked differently in terms of what they needed as well," Rosenthal said. "I would have said then a number two starter behind Garrett Crochet, but the way Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito have pitched in recent weeks, maybe they don't need to aim quite that high. 

"And I'll give you one name that might be interesting for them: Charlie Morton. Horrible start to the season, but in his last 59 innings, 3.05 ERA. He and Alex Cora know each other from Houston, 2017, so a starting pitcher is clearly one thing that they need."

We check back in with @Ken_Rosenthal to talk about the Cubs and Red Sox plans ahead of the trade deadline pic.twitter.com/15MwUpaHPF

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 14, 2025

Following a drama-filled first half, Boston will look for a much smoother second half and one that ends with them punching their ticket to the postseason.