MLB Insider Believes Red Sox Will Trade Star Pitcher At Deadline
The Boston Red Sox are currently in a very interesting position as the Aug. 1 Major League Baseball trade deadline approaches.
They are currently 45-43 following a somewhat surprising series win against the slugging Texas Rangers. They've scored the eighth-most runs in the majors this year, but their starting rotation issues following key injuries remain a top concern.
However, tall lefty James Paxton has been anything but an issue for the Red Sox this year. The 34-year-old is coming off being named American League Pitcher of the Month for June after posting a 1.74 ERA with a 0.77 WHIP and .165 batting average against for the month.
Paxton's dominance has Red Sox fans and onlookers curious if this strong few months is worth investing in more, or capitalizing on via trade.
MLB insider Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic thinks dealing Paxton would make the most sense for the Sox.
"He again looks like the pitcher who was so good from 2016 to ‘19. His remaining salary at the deadline will be less than $1.5 million. The Sox are in last place in the AL East. Pretty obvious decision, no?"
Yes, the Red Sox are in last place in the division. But this may just be the most stacked division in the history of baseball.
In fact, the division is so loaded that even though the Red Sox are in fifth place, they have the most wins in all of baseball against teams with a winning record. So to say that trading Paxton is an "obvious decision" just doesn't tell the whole story.
A key element here is Paxton's health.
Coming off of Tommy John surgery and having pitched in just six games over the last three years, who is to say this great run will be sustainable through the rest of the season and potentially beyond for Big Maple?
That point has me leaning toward trade, but then the fan in me would way rather the Sox keep rolling Paxton and Bello out there as one of the most dominant rotation duos in the game and just hope to patch the rest together until injured starters return (likely) in August.
Either way, what Chaim Bloom and company decide to do with James Paxton come the trade deadline will be a very clear indicator of whether they think they have a legitimate shot of claiming a postseason spot this year. Extremely significant days for the future of the Red Sox are ahead.
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