The Boston Red Sox traded for Garrett Crochet this offseason. However, they could still be looking for upgrades after some early struggles from their starters.
Walker Buehler has struggled so far, and Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito are still injured. Tanner Houck was an All-Star last year, but he had a 4.41 ERA through three starts. Then he gave up 13 earned runs in his last two starts, inflating his ERA to 7.66. ESPN’s David Schoenfield tabbed Sandy Alcántara as a target for the team near the trade deadline.
“Garrett Crochet has been everything the Red Sox hoped for, but Tanner Houck has been getting pounded, the rotation depth is thin and most of Boston’s top prospects are position players,” wrote Schoenfield. “Alcantara’s multiyear team control and reasonable salary makes him especially attractive to the Red Sox — a team that has been reluctant to spend with the big boys in recent years. Frankly, they should be able to outbid any other team, especially since the Marlins are starving for hitters.”
Alcántara won the National League Cy Young Award in 2022. He struggled in 2023 and missed all of 2024. During his 2022 season he had a 2.28 ERA and 207 strikeouts. He also threw six complete games.
He signed a five-year, $56 million extension in 2021, with a $21 million club option for 2027. He is off to a slow start this year with a 7.27 ERA. However, his career ERA is 3.39.
Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp
Alcántara will be one of the hottest names on the trade block. Once he hits his stride, he is one of the best pitchers in baseball. If the Red Sox could get anything close to the player Alcántara was in 2022, they would be in a great position to win the American League East, potentially.
More MLB: Yankees blockbuster trade idea brings $200 million 3-time All-Star to Bronx
