MLB Insider Changes Tune About Red Sox’s Needs Before Trade Deadline

Ken Rosenthal previously felt the Boston Red Sox needed someone right behind Garrett Crochet in their starting rotation.

That was before Lucas Giolito got hot and recorded four wins in his previous five starts before the MLB All-Star break. It was before Brayan Bello won three consecutive starts, including a complete game against the Colorado Rockies last week.

Such success behind Crochet led the MLB insider to change his tune a bit.

“They need a starting pitcher,” Rosenthal said on his “Foul Territory” podcast Monday. “A couple of weeks ago I would have said they needed a number two, right behind Crochet. Now, I don’t know that’s the case.”

Crochet was selected to represent the Red Sox at the 2025 MLB All-Star Game. It was a well-deserved honor for Crochet, who’s compiled a 2.23 ERA in 20 starts this season.

“They’ve got Crochet, of course, being Crochet. Ace of the staff, All-Star, brilliant performer,” Rosenthal said. “But in recent weeks Lucas Giolito has come on and Bryan Bello has come on. So right now, I don’t know that they need the number two that’s going to be so hard to get anyway. They could just use a starting pitcher that would help them, as well as a first baseman and the requisite bullpen help.”

All told, Rosenthal believes the Red Sox are in “great shape” after compiling a 10-game win streak before the Midsummer Classic.

“It’s going to be really interesting to see how they play this because they are a team that, frankly, might be in the World Series if they make the right moves,” Rosenthal said. “They have a ton of talent. They have a really intriguing, exciting club. And they’ve come on a good deal in recent weeks.”

The Red Sox will try to keep their momentum rolling when they return from the break and face the Chicago Cubs on Friday afternoon.