Red Sox Turnaround Could Inspire Fascinating Roster Move

The Boston Red Sox received mixed results after the first 20 games of the MLB season.

It’s only 12% of the season, but fans still expressed concern about a team that started .500 and hasn’t received positive results from stars like Triston Casas. It’s why there was early talk about promoting Roman Anthony so soon.

One other key area of concern is the pitching staff. Garrett Crochet arrived as advertised and looks to be the ace the Red Sox hoped for when they signed the southpaw to an extension. However, Walker Buehler and Tanner Houck look like they might need more time to get acclimated. And ideas of a six-man rotation look ambitious in retrospect, as the back half of the rotation isn’t as secure as once thought.

Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito continued to work their way back from injury, but neither is a sure thing. Bello needs to prove he can be a consistent starter and give Boston quality innings, and Giolito has been on the shelf for two years.

It should never be too early for Craig Breslow and the front office to find ways to give the Red Sox a boost, and there will be a notable pitcher that clubs will have their eye on during MLB trade deadline season: Sandy Alcantara.

The 2022 National League Cy Young winner came off Tommy John surgery that forced him to miss the 2024 season. The right-hander has recorded a 4.70 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings in three starts this season. He might need more time to get back into form, but he’s someone Boston should have its eye on.

Alcantara would be the perfect No. 2 starter behind Crochet and stabilize the starting rotation. It can also ease the workload of the bullpen that had to assist the young starters early in the season. The six-man rotation idea also would be back on the table, and the front-end depth would lessen the pressure on players like Bello and Giolito.

An Alcantara likely would be on the table if the Red Sox are in the hunt for the American League East with the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles. The right-hander might be more motivated to join a World Series contender, and the 29-year-old should be a move to help push a fringe contender.

It’s a move MLB is looking out for. An NL source told MassLive’s Sean McAdam on Friday that Boston’s assets would make it a “logical” player for Alcantara.

As things stood after 20 games, it looked like Boston was trending more toward wild-card territory. But if Alex Cora’s side can quickly turn things around, luxury moves could be on the way to help push the Red Sox over the top.