MLB Rumors: Red Sox Haven’t Inquired About Two NL Starting Pitchers

The Boston Red Sox could emerge as summer buyers if they stay hot before MLB’s trade deadline. No contender will turn down pitching help, but the Red Sox reportedly haven’t reached out about two potentially available starters.

Boston hasn’t called the Miami Marlins about Sandy Alcantara or Edward Cabrera, according to MassLive’s Sean McAdam.

Only Gerrit Cole threw more innings than Alcantara (858 1/3) from 2019 to 2023. The 6-foot-5 righty won the 2023 National League Cy Young Award with a 2.28 ERA, but he faltered to a 4.14 ERA the following year before missing all of 2024 recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Alcantara still hasn’t regained his form, recording the highest ERA (7.22) of any qualified starter this season. The 29-year-old appeared to turn the corner by posting a 2.74 ERA during a promising four-start stretch in June, but he’s since allowed 24 hits and 18 runs in his last three turns.

Despite those struggles, Alcantara could remain a desirable trade target as a former ace under contract (including a club option) through 2027. That could also drive up the price on a high-risk gamble, and the Red Sox are already in a similar position of hoping Walker Buehler rediscovers his pre-surgery success.

With a career 4.11 ERA and 12.5 percent walk rate, Cabrera doesn’t boast the same track record as Alcantara. Yet the 27-year-old is pitching far better of late, inspiring hope that the electric righty has finally put the puzzle together.

Cabrera has flashed ace upside with a 2.11 ERA in his last 11 starts. He’s lowered his walk rate to a far more manageable 8.0 percent during that period and has worked seven innings in back-to-back starts after previously doing so twice throughout his career.

Like Alcantara, the Marlins have no urgency to move Cabrera this summer. He’s arbitration-eligible for three more seasons before he can test free agency in 2028.

The Chicago Cubs and New York Mets are among the “several teams” interested in Cabrera, according to Francys Romero. Those suitors may not include the Red Sox, who currently possess the American League’s final wild-card spot amid a seven-game winning streak.