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Red Sox Reportedly Buyers Ahead Of 2024 Trade Deadline

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It would have seemed crazy to call the Boston Red Sox one of the better teams in baseball at the start of June. The club had struggled to consistently sit with a record over .500 and was dealing with an absurd amount of injuries. However, the last month and a half has set up the organization to go after players at this year’s trade deadline. And multiple baseball reporters believe that is exactly what Boston is going to do. After months of questions and concerns, the Red Sox are reportedly buyers ahead of the 2024 MLB trade deadline. 

Red Sox Reportedly Buyers Ahead Of 2024 Trade Deadline

Towards the end of June, MLB on FOX’s Ken Rosenthal emphatically stated and explained that the Red Sox had to be buyers. In his eyes, there really wasn’t another choice for Boston. He listed starting pitching as the glaring team need, with arms that could eat up innings and complement the current rotation. On Friday, USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale hopped on the buying train. He also called the Red Sox “one of the biggest surprises in baseball right now.”

Specifically, Nightengale mentioned two Chicago-based hurlers as potential targets for Boston. Although one is probably easier to grab than the other, both would make sense to put in a Red Sox uniform. They may not be the only players that make sense. But with signals pointing to Boston becoming buyers at the deadline, it’s most certainly worth a check-in with both of these pitchers.

Erick Fedde – RHP – Chicago White Sox – UDFA 2026

Erick Fedde has really come on in 2024 after signing a 2-year, $15 million deal with the White Sox. He played solely in Korea last year and had previously struggled in MLB play. In six years with the Washington Nationals, Fedde had a 5.41 ERA in 102 games (88 starts). His 1.523 WHIP showed that he didn’t have what it took to consistently get batters out. But in his return to the big leagues, it’s been just the opposite in Chicago.

Fedde has been nothing short of stellar for the White Sox this campaign. He sports an ERA of 2.99, ranking 13th in all of baseball. In just over 111 innings, he has a 1.132 WHIP, by far a career-best mark, and 99 strikeouts. He’s been a strong option on a Chicago team that can barely buy wins in 2024. With just under a year and a half left on his contract, which is connected to the worst team in baseball, trading Fedde makes complete sense for the White Sox ahead of this season’s trade deadline.

Fedde has been connected with basically every contender in baseball. It’s no secret that he is available and has increased demand across the league. That may create a bidding war to secure the 31-year-old’s services, but it shouldn’t scare away the Red Sox. After all, Boston should put themselves right there with every other contender. One or two moves could be the difference between making a deep run in the postseason or missing it altogether. The Red Sox know that feeling all too well after failing to make moves the last two years, and subsequently falling out of the playoff picture. 

Fedde would rank second on Boston, behind only Tanner Houck, in ERA. He’d be third in WHIP,  strikeouts, and innings pitched. It is never a bad idea to add a hot starting pitcher at the deadline, especially as a contender. Fedde has been just that in 2024. He’s allowed two or fewer runs in 13 starts this season. Fedde hasn’t surrendered a run in 11 July innings. This makes a lot of sense for the Red Sox to at least check in on. 

Jameson Taillon – RHP – Chicago Cubs – UDFA 2027

Compared to Fedde, Jameson Taillon is probably tougher to secure in a trade this year. He’s under contract for an additional year, his track record is a lot longer than Fedde’s, and the Chicago Cubs aren’t locked in on selling in 2024. But if they are, Boston should be knocking at the door. There’s nothing wrong with grabbing someone that would help you now and in the future. Taillon would do just that.

The right-hander is having the best year of his eight-season career in 2024. Taillon has a 3.10 ERA in 16 starts and 93 innings. He won’t have any issues with load management down the stretch, with proof from the Florida native pitching over 177 frames in 2022. Taillon isn’t a big strikeout thrower and has punched out only 75 batters this season. But his 1.161 WHIP shows an ability to keep runners off the basepaths. Taillon’s ERA+ of 136 makes him an even more appealing option. 

For a player who has a career ERA just south of 4.00, Taillon is not one of the best pitchers in baseball. But he’s been consistent besides a poor 2023 campaign and doesn’t walk a lot of opponents. The potential issue here is that he won’t be cheap due to the remaining two and a half years on his contract. The Red Sox should be yearning to improve the roster for the next few years, though, especially with the breakout of this season’s squad.

Taillon has given up more than three runs in a start just once in 2024. He began the year with five straight outings of two runs or less. And in Taillon’s last seven games, he has a 2.68 ERA. This all really comes down to whether the Cubs decide to sell pieces. They have a roster and starting rotation that can compete but have failed to put it together in 2024. That may just be enough to try and shed some future cash that Taillon carries. He signed a 4-year, $68 million deal ahead of the 2023 season. If they are indeed buyers at this year’s deadline, it would be malpractice for the Red Sox to not at least inquire about the availability of the 32-year-old veteran.

 

Photo Credit: © Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

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