The Boston Red Sox are gearing up to make some crucial moves before the MLB trade deadline, aiming to bolster their roster and make a strong push for the playoffs. According to Jeff Passan, a renowned MLB insider from ESPN, the Red Sox’s top priority should be addressing their bullpen woes rather than upgrading their first baseman position. Passan points out that the Red Sox’s relievers have struggled with high walk rates and low strikeout numbers, making them a middle-of-the-pack bullpen without the contributions of ace closer Aroldis Chapman.
To rectify this situation, Passan suggests that the Red Sox consider acquiring Ryan Helsley, a talented reliever from the St. Louis Cardinals. Helsley, who has spent his entire professional career with the Cardinals, boasts an impressive resume, including two All-Star appearances and a career ERA of 2.69 over 294.2 innings pitched. Passan believes that adding Helsley to the Red Sox roster would give them a formidable setup-closer combination, providing crucial support to a rotation that has been performing exceptionally well over the past month.
With Helsley on board, Passan thinks the Red Sox would be well-positioned to make a deep playoff run, particularly if they can maintain their current level of performance and stay healthy. The team has shown promising signs of coming together, with contributions from all corners of the roster. According to Passan, the addition of Helsley and potentially another starting pitcher would elevate the Red Sox to legitimate contender status, realizing the aspirations they had at the start of the season.
The MLB trade deadline is fast approaching, with July 31 marking the cutoff point for teams to make roster moves. The Red Sox have just over three weeks to make strategic acquisitions and shape their roster for the second half of the season. With careful planning and savvy moves, the Red Sox could transform themselves into a formidable force in the league, capable of competing with the best teams in baseball.
