Red Sox Predicted To Swing Trade For Another All-Star Pitcher

The Boston Red Sox have already made two additions to their starting rotation in Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo. However, Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter predicted they would add another starting pitcher.

Gray and Oviedo are solid additions to the staff, but given how aggressive the Toronto Blue Jays have been this offseason, the Red Sox may need to keep their foot on the gas to have a shot in the American League East. Gray is a two-time All-Star, but Reuter predicted the Red Sox would trade for another All-Star in Cole Ragans of the Kansas City Royals.

Ragans has a little over $12 million remaining on his current contract over the next two years. After that, he has one arbitration year left. He would be a relatively cheap, controllable asset, which means he may not be easy to acquire.

Ragans was an All-Star in 2024. He posted a 3.14 ERA in 32 starts that season and led the American League in strikeouts per nine innings. Last season, he made just 13 starts and dealt with shoulder and groin injuries.

Ragans proved in 2024 that when he is healthy, he can be an ace-caliber arm. He could slot in right behind Garrett Crochet in the rotation without costing the Red Sox much, at least payroll-wise. The Royals would likely want multiple prospects, but this may be the time to go get him.

He is coming off a down year, and his value has decreased slightly. Similar to Gray, he did not have the best season, but the Red Sox would likely believe they can get him back on track. Crochet, Gray, Ragans and Brayan Bello leading the rotation would be a massive upgrade from last season.

Going into the offseason, pitching was clearly an area of focus for the Red Sox. Adding Gray and Oviedo, who had a 3.57 ERA in nine starts last season, is a good start, but adding Ragans would be a huge move.

The Red Sox may also want to get involved in the position player market. That may include re-signing Alex Bregman. Adding a pitcher who is not going to make more than $20 million a year right now would still allow them to spend on position players.