Red Sox predicted to move outfielder for controllable starter

The Boston Red Sox closed out the first half of 2025 with a 10-game winning streak. Now, they'll take that momentum into the second half of the year.

At 53-45, they hold the second American League Wild Card spot and are also just three games back in the AL East. They'll be an interesting team at the trade deadline, which is now less than two weeks away.

The Red Sox could use some help in their starting rotation. They need a top starter to go alongside Garrett Crochet.

Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic made a prediction, that Boston would trade for a controllable arm and offload an outfielder in the process.

"The Red Sox traded for a starter last year in James Paxton and he was promptly hurt. This year, if they plan to contend in the postseason as they’ve said they do, they need a bona fide No. 2 — not a mid-tier option — to slide between Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello. Here’s predicting they trade an outfielder (among others) to get a controllable starter who’s a better fit this time around," McCaffrey wrote.

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The Red Sox have not missed a beat since trading Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. Instead, they have pulled themselves together and emerged as a true contender in the Junior Circuit.

One more starting pitcher, one that has high upside and can be considered a No. 2 arm, could pay dividends for the Red Sox down the stretch as they try to bolster their roster.

The AL East is tightly packed at the moment, as is the Wild Card race. Another arm could make a huge difference for the Red Sox as they try to piece together a second half run and reach the postseason for the first time since 2021.

It will be interesting to see where the Red Sox land in their search for a pitcher.

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