The Boston Red Sox could use another arm in the rotation and there may be an underrated hurler available around the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline.
Boston’s biggest issues have come from its starting rotation so far this season — although things have started to turn in the right direction — so it would make sense for the club to make an addition ahead of the trade deadline.
Plus, with star lefty Chris Sale leaving his start early Thursday night, it wouldn’t hurt to add more depth just in case.
One player who hasn’t been drawing headlines like the likes of Chicago White Sox star Lucas Giolito or former Red Sox lefty and current Detroit Tiger Eduardo Rodriguez, but reportedly could be dealt ahead of the trade deadline, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, and would make sense for Boston is Oakland Athletics All-Star, Paul Blackburn.
“Sure, the A’s will deal 2022 All-Star Paul Blackburn, another starter who recently made his season debut, but who else are we talking about,” Rosenthal said. “Shane Bieber? The (Cleveland Guardians) are only 3 1/2 games out in the AL Central. Luke Weaver? The (Cincinnati Reds) are only three out in the NL Central.”
While it would be amazing to acquire someone like Giolito, Rodriguez, or Bieber, there’s sure to be plenty of competition for top-end starting pitching ahead of the trade deadline so Boston may not be able to nab a big name. Blackburn may fit the Red Sox more than some of the other hurlers that will be available.
The righty is 29 years old and is under team control until 2026. He had the best of his career to date in 2022 where he earned his first All-Star bid while compiling a 4.28 ERA across 21 starts for Oakland. He missed the beginning of the 2023 campaign, but recently made his first start of the season for the Athletics and allowed one run across four innings pitched.
Blackburn may not be the biggest name on the market and may not be known by much of Red Sox Nation, but he could be an intriguing low-cost acquisition to help beef up the backend of the Boston rotation.
He’s made just 52 starts across seven seasons but seems to be coming into his known. He may not be a top-of-the-rotation guy, but he is cheap and has some upside. If Boston wants to add a starter ahead of the deadline the club certainly should look into nabbing an ace, but if it fails to do so, Blackburn wouldn’t be half bad as an addition.
