Will Middlebrooks Sees Two Realistic Starting Pitching Trade Options For Red Sox

Sox Talk with Will Middlebrooks is a recurring content series on NESN.com. Middlebrooks, a former Red Sox player and current NESN analyst, gives his insight and opinion on pertinent Red Sox storylines throughout the season. You can read the latest stories from the series here.

Will Middlebrooks believed that "in a perfect world" the Boston Red Sox would acquire two starting pitchers at the MLB trade deadline.

Well, the Red Sox already obtained one when they traded for James Paxton on Friday.

The Red Sox still have plenty of time to get another starting arm if they so chose and Middlebrooks sees realistic options available for Boston on the trade market that wouldn't break the bank, either.

One of those starting pitchers is Erick Fedde of the lowly Chicago White Sox. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound right-hander didn't even pitch in the majors last season. He played in the KBO League in Korea in 2023 after six underwhelming seasons with the Washington Nationals.

But Fedde has now made himself into a pitcher reportedly drawing interest from several teams as next Tuesday's deadline looms. The 31-year-old found success with the White Sox this year by posting a 7-3 record with a career-best 2.98 ERA in 20 starts. He also exhibits good command of his pitches by only walking 32 batters in 117 2/3 innings.

And the fact that a team acquiring Fedde would have him under control through next season at $7.5 million per year is an added plus in Middlebrooks' eyes.

"He has that sinker, cutter, changeup combination that really fits the mold of what (Red Sox pitching coach) Andrew Bailey and (Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig) Breslow, what they like in guys," Middlebrooks told NESN.com. "Obviously more cost effective. I don't think he's going to cost you as much as far as prospects go. I hear the price is high, but all prices are high the week before."

Trying to trade for Fedde isn't the only route the Red Sox could take. Middlebrooks pointed out another pitcher that should be available and is the definition of a buy-low option.

Reid Detmers made 12 starts for the Los Angeles Angels this season before being optioned to Triple-A, where the left-hander has been ever since. Detmers earned the demotion after a horrific month of May and his ERA (6.49) in Triple-A is actually higher than his ERA (6.14) in the majors this season.

But the 25-year-old, who is under team control through 2027, did flash his potential early in the season, especially against the Red Sox. Detmers had two starts against Boston in April in which he combined to give up just one run on six hits while striking out 19 in 12 1/3 innings.

Detmers also threw a no-hitter as a rookie two seasons ago making him an intriguing trade candidate.

"I've just seen what guys can do under Andrew Bailey and I've seen his stuff be good. Really good," Middlebrooks said. "He's not the savior. He's not a guy who's going to come in and be your top-two starter. No. The Sox need depth. And this I think would be a pretty cheap addition. I don't think it would cost you any top prospects."