The MLB trade deadline is used by contending organizations to bolster their rosters. Teams like the Seattle Mariners went big this season, bringing in the likes of Randy Arozarena (TB), Yimi Garcí (TOR), and Justin Turner (TOR). Although the Boston Red Sox didn’t necessarily go all out like Seattle, they brought in multiple pieces to try and help a struggling group. The Red Sox’s pitching staff has faltered since the All-Star break in July. But, despite the additions, Boston is still troubled on the mound. Recent acquisitions are failing to stop a troubling Red Sox trend.
Recent Acquisitions Failing To Stop Troubling Red Sox Trend
The Statistic
For the entire 2024 campaign, Boston ranks 18th in baseball with a 4.17-team ERA. The Red Sox have limited baserunners, sitting fourth-best in walk percentage, and are 15th in WHIP. However, that doesn’t tell the story. From March to mid-July, Boston had a pretty strong pitching staff despite various injuries. Things haven’t been the same since the All-Star break, though. In fact, the Red Sox have completely fallen off the rails over the past month.
Since July 19, when baseball resumed following the All-Star festivities, Boston ranks dead last in MLB for team ERA. Worse than the Chicago White Sox, who are 3-22 over the period. Below the Colorado Rockies, who play in a ballpark that consistently sends balls out for runs. The Red Sox simply have not been able to perform on the mound. It’s translated to their record, with Boston winning 11 of its 26 contests since the break. As of Saturday, the club has failed to make up ground in the AL Wildcard race, sitting 2.5 games behind the Kansas City Royals.
The Red Sox pitching numbers since the break:
Worst ERA in baseball at 6.10.
Most hits allowed (274).
Most runs allowed at 182. Next highest is 151.
Most homers allowed at 55. Next highest is 43.
Opponents hitting .287.They also have the most hits in MLB (272) in that span.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) August 17, 2024
The Red Sox’s bats have been far from a problem, ranking second in baseball with 6.19 runs per contest over the last month. Masataka Yoshida, Rafael Devers, and Jarren Duran are raking. First baseman Triston Casas is finally back. Boston knew it had to make moves at the deadline and, smartly, decided to target its pitching group for improvements. However, despite the efforts, the Red Sox’s pitching trades have been nothing short of a disappointment. And if things don’t turn soon, Boston could very well be throwing itself out of postseason contention.
The Acquisitions
The Red Sox brought in four players at the trade deadline that have since appeared in the majors. The only hitter Boston acquired was catcher Danny Jansen, who is hitting .333 and has two homers with the club. The Red Sox mostly turned their attention to pitching, bringing in three pieces. Things started with left-hander James Paxton, who was designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers and then traded to Boston on July 26. On deadline day, the Red Sox added relievers Lucas Sims from the Cincinnati Reds and Luis García from the Los Angeles Angels. All three were immediately plugged into Boston’s set up. All three have had their own struggles in a Red Sox uniform.
James Paxton – LHP – Starting Pitcher
Paxton was a familiar face for Boston. He spent the entire 2023 season with the organization, pitching to a 4.50 ERA in 19 starts and 96 innings. Paxton was coming off a year where he did not play. In 2024, the 35-year-old began with the Dodgers. He posted a 4.43 ERA in just over 89 innings. Paxton’s troubling 1.46 WHIP in L.A. set off red flags. But the Red Sox needed rotation support, and they chose Paxton as the man to step in.
The biggest issue with this decision wasn’t his statistics, or recent performances. It was Paxton’s track record. He hadn’t pitched more than 105 innings since 2019. Paxton pitched just 21 ⅔ frames over three campaigns from 2020 to 2022. Boston needed durability, especially with the wear-down of its rotation. Bringing someone in who doesn’t fit that mold, is not reliable, and frankly isn’t very good shouldn’t have been the decision.
Paxton’s 2024 stint with the Red Sox was short. He allowed five runs in his first 10 ⅓ innings of work. Then, on August 11 against the Houston Astros, he stepped on the mound and threw under an inning before getting hurt. Paxton suffered a right calf strain while trying to run to first base. He was later ruled out for the season. Although the injury isn’t something he had ever dealt with, a 35-year-old with an unreliable durability was bound to break down. Paxton’s situation basically forced Boston to return to its rotation before the deadline. The move didn’t work at all. The organization now prays that recently-signed 44-year-old Rich Hill is any help.
Nothing short of brutal for the Red Sox.
James Paxton did not have an easy time getting off the field. pic.twitter.com/AyqmbyOF6g
— Tyler Milliken
(@tylermilliken_) August 11, 2024
Lucas Sims – RHP – Relief Pitcher
Sims entered Boston off the back of a season and a half of productive baseball in Cincinnati. The former first round pick had a shaky start to his career, but found his footing in 2023 and 2024. Sims threw just over 35 innings for the Reds before heading to the Red Sox, posting a 3.57 ERA and 12 holds. In Boston, things have been different. Sims has pitched seven times. He’s allowed runs on two separate occasions, including a four-run disaster against the Astros. That’s caused Sims to have a 7.11 ERA in August and an overall 6.43 mark with the organization.
Obviously, taking away the one major blip paints a brighter picture. However, you simply can’t just forget something happened. Sims was brought in to solidify Boston’s bullpen and add another veteran to the group. He definitely has not been a disaster with the club. But, surrounded by struggling arms, he also hasn’t really done much to help the current situation. Sims is the best of the three pitchers the Red Sox brought in, but that isn’t saying much.
Luis García – RHP – Relief Pitcher
If we are talking disappointments, García has been the biggest from the deadline. With the Angels, he threw just under 45 innings and allowed four home runs. In Boston, he’s pitched just 7 ⅔ frames and has given up the same amount. A 3.71 ERA in Los Angeles has blossomed into a 5.26 for the season. García, in total, has allowed 16 hits, 12 runs, and sports an ugly 14.09 ERA with the Red Sox. If there was a definition of disaster, it’s right here.
Luis Garcia this season:
Angels: 4 HR allowed in 43 2/3 IP
Red Sox: 4 HR allowed in 7 2/3 IP— nugget chef (@jayhaykid) August 17, 2024
Boston wasn’t expecting a completely dominant pitcher when it added the 37-year-old. But the Red Sox could not have imagined that the addition could have gone this poorly. García has been one of the biggest trade disappointments in all of baseball. Instead of helping the team, he is actively making the organization worse. Boston is lucky that García is a rental piece and will be a free agent after the season. If that wasn’t the case, this would, somehow, look way worse.
The Fix
Unfortunately for the Red Sox, all they can really do is hope their current pitching staff turns it around. There aren’t many external options, Boston doesn’t have strong pitching prospects, and the trade deadline is far in the past. A rotation that includes Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford, Nick Pivetta, and Brayan Bello can do damage. The bullpen, on paper, is not poor. But it’s not about what they can do, it’s about what they actually do. And, if things continue, that actuality is not pretty.
Main Photo Credits: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sport
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