Redressing: Red Sox to Overhaul, Seven(7) Starters who could be Traded this Winter

Boston Red Sox supporters are still waiting for the first domino to fall one month into the 2023-24 MLB offseason.

The team has yet to make a move to fill any of the roster’s obvious gaps, notably the starting rotation and second base. So far, their only major offseason transaction has been the trade of outfielder Alex Verdugo to the New York Yankees for three minor-league pitchers.

With pitchers Aaron Nola (Philadelphia Phillies), Sonny Gray (St. Louis Cardinals), and Eduardo Rodriguez (Arizona Diamondbacks) no longer on the market, their free-agent alternatives are shrinking. They still have a chance to sign Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto and/or veteran southpaw Jordan Montgomery, but if they don’t, they’ll have to turn to the trade market.

Tyler Glasnow (Tampa Bay Rays), Corbin Burnes (Milwaukee Brewers), and Shane Bieber (Cleveland Guardians) are all aces whose teams are shopping them this winter. Each, however, is due to become free agents following the 2024 season, and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow is more interested in acquiring players with multiple years of control.

“Control is essential. It’s quite valuable. It obviously comes at a cost,” Breslow explained. “However, as we consider building not just for ’24, but for the future, control becomes an issue.” We must be willing to accept that it is often necessary to give up true talent in order to regain control, particularly of controlled starting pitching.”

So, assuming Breslow prioritizes controllable players, which starting pitchers and middle infielders may the Red Sox target in trade? Here are a few names to remember:

Cease struggled in 2023 after finishing as the American League Cy Young runner-up in 2022. The soon-to-be 28-year-old had a 4.58 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP in 33 starts (177 innings) for the White Sox.

Despite his regression, Cease remains the top starting pitcher on the trade market, with many teams allegedly interested in acquiring him this winter. The Red Sox, on the other hand, have not been mentioned. The Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, and Baltimore Orioles are among the teams said to be interested in acquiring Cease.

Boston can still enter the Cease sweepstakes. The Chicago White Sox are “pulling back” on trade talks involving Cease, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, because they are “waiting to see who misses out on the coveted Japanese star [Yoshinobu Yamamoto].” The Red Sox are apparently interested in Yamamoto, so if they are unable to sign him, they may redirect their attention to Cease or another starting pitcher on the trade market.

Before the 2023 trade deadline, the Red Sox allegedly enquired about Cabrera, a former top prospect in the Marlins organization. Could they make a trade for the young right-hander this winter?

Cabrera, 25, has blazing stuff but has struggled with command in his first three years in the big leagues. In 22 games (20 starts) with Miami last season, he had a 4.24 ERA, a 1.445 WHIP, 118 strikeouts, and 66 walks.

There is an ace upside. However, Red Sox supporters want a starter who will be the undisputed No. 1 starting in 2024. Cabrera isn’t that kind of man. He’d be a good fit in the middle of the rotation, but Craig Breslow and company should aspire higher.

It feels unlikely the Mariners would want to part ways with either of their young, talented starting pitchers. That said, they need to bolster their lineup ahead of the 2024 season and are one of the few teams with excess starting pitching. That makes them an intriguing potential trade partner.

Gilbert, 26, is under team control through 2027. He doubled down on his breakout 2022 campaign with a 3.73 ERA, a 1.075 WHIP, 189 strikeouts, and only 36 walks through 190.2 innings (32 starts). in 2023.

Kirby, 25, earned his first All-Star selection last season and finished with a 3.35 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, 172 strikeouts, and just 19 walks in 190.2 innings (31 starts). He had an MLB-best 0.9 walks per nine innings and placed eighth in AL Cy Young voting. He’ll be under team control until 2028.

Either pitcher would be a massive upgrade to the Red Sox rotation. They’re the pricest options on this list, but if the Red Sox are serious about adding controllable pitchers who can lead the staff for years to come, they should give Mariners president Jerry Dipoto a call.

The Red Sox’s offseason priority list places second base below the starting rotation, but it should be a priority anyway. India has recently been the focus of trade speculations, and unlike the other names mentioned here, he has recently been linked to Boston.

India, 26, has declined since winning the NL Rookie of the Year award in 2021, but he still has some power at the plate. His defense is the issue. In his three MLB seasons, he’s been among the league’s worst defensive second basemen. Given that defensive miscues were a major issue for the Red Sox throughout the 2023 season, trading for him may seem contradictory.

He’d be an improvement over what they have now, but the Red Sox might want to examine one of the alternatives below instead…

Drury, 31, would tick several boxes for Boston. He’s a versatile defender who has played every position in the infield as well as both corner outfield positions. He can also rake with his right hand.

Last season with the Los Angeles Angels, Drury slashed .262/.306/.497 with 26 homers and 83 RBIs. While he hasn’t been reported to be on the trade block, he could be a valuable trade chip for Anaheim and the Red Sox have the pieces to get a deal done.

The one drawback is Drury is scheduled to hit free agency after the 2024 season. Even if Breslow prefers controllable players, that shouldn’t dissuade him from adding a player of Drury’s caliber.

Another approach would be to shift Trevor Story back to second base and trade for a shortstop. Willy Adames is an intriguing alternative if the Red Sox go that route.

Adames, like Story, is an outstanding defender with right-handed power at the plate. Last season, the 28-year-old hit 24 home runs and drove in 80 runs in what was a down year for him statistically.

A middle infield of Story and Adames would be ideal for addressing the defensive woes that plagued the club throughout the 2023 season.