Red Sox Pitching Pursuits: What You Need to Know Right Now! 🔥

The Red Sox are actively in search of top-tier starting pitchers for their rotation. While notable pitchers like Aaron Nola and Sonny Gray have already found new teams, there is no clear indication that the Red Sox were heavily involved in pursuing either of them. According to Sean McAdam of MassLive, the Red Sox’s primary focus is on acquiring a starting pitcher through a trade before exploring options in free agency.

Interestingly, a prominent trade candidate, Dylan Cease doesn’t seem to be a major priority for the Red Sox at the moment. McAdam reports that there have been no active discussions between the Red Sox and the White Sox regarding Cease. Despite being considered a target for teams like the Dodgers and Braves, the Red Sox’s apparent lack of involvement in Cease discussions is somewhat surprising. Cease still has two seasons of arbitration control, with a projected salary of $8.8 million, which is deemed a bargain for a pitcher with his potential. Alongside pitchers like Corbin Burnes, Shane Bieber, and Tyler Glasnow, Cease has been the subject of significant trade speculation.

Although Cease had a less impressive season, allowing 4.58 earned runs per nine innings, compared to the 2.20 ERA in 2022, he still maintained an above-average strikeout rate of 27.2%. Despite a decline in strikeouts, Cease showcased an excellent 13.6% swinging strike percentage, with his fastball averaging just under 96 MPH and his slider remaining an effective swing-and-miss pitch.

While the Red Sox may be exploring trade options beyond Cease, Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow and the front office are also keeping an eye on top pitchers available in the free-agent market. They have been linked to NPB star Yoshinobu Yamamoto and left-hander Jordan Montgomery. Additionally, the Red Sox expressed interest in Blake Snell during the GM Meetings. Snell, who had a stellar season and is linked to West Coast teams, might not align with the Red Sox’s preferences if he prefers signing with a team on the West Coast.

If Snell’s preference holds true, it could pose a challenge for the Red Sox. Another top left-handed pitcher in the market, Montgomery, has ties to the Northeast. While originally from South Carolina, Montgomery is spending the winter in Boston due to his wife McKenzie’s medical residency in the area. The impact of this connection on his free-agent preferences remains unclear.