Close Article Return to stream X
MLB

Boston Red Sox Need A Quick Fix To Remain On Top Of AL East

+Read full article
Cole Hamels Philadelphia Phillies

Bill Srelcher-USA Today Sports

With the regular season in full swing, the Boston Red Sox are currently above par, sporting a 9-5 record and having not lost a series thus far on the young year. Though the lineup has been deemed mediocre at best when it comes to its overall production, the power has quickly become a mainstay. Hanley Ramirez currently leads the team with five home runs and 12 RBIs while subsequently batting well above the Mendoza line with a respectable .269 batting average.

The Sox have also been receiving unlikely offensive production from none other than Xander Bogaerts. He is sporting a .319 batting average with a .396 OBP and was tearing the cover off of the baseball, but is currently in the midst of a setback, not compiling a hit in three straight games.

One of the primary questions this past offseason was the bullpen and whether it was going to be revamped or just manage its inconsistencies. Though there hasn’t been a clear timetable on what can inevitably be expected out of the bullpen, there have been early indications on which relievers specifically have shined like diamonds in the rubble.

With all of the positives that can be extracted from the Red Sox bullpen, the same can not be said for their inferior starting rotation. Coming into the 2015 season, the Red Sox projected Clay Buchholz, Joe Kelly, Rick Porcello, Wade Miley and Justin Masterson to fill their five-man rotation for the beginning portion of the season. Four out of the five have ERAs over five, with Kelly being the only starting pitcher with a substantial stat line.

Though Kelly makes a significant argument, there is statistically no clear-cut ace to lead this rotation into the early stages of the promising season. Porcello, who the Sox acquired from the Detroit Tigers in the Yoenis Cespedes swap, dealt with implosion issues on Sunday afternoon. Against the Baltimore Orioles, the 26-year-old gave up eight earned runs on 12 hits, bloating his ERA to 6.63 on the season. Keep in mind that this is the same pitcher the Sox recently extended without seeing him step on the mound once in a Red Sox uniform. But that’s none of my business. *Commence tea sipping.*

Regardless, the only logical thing that comes to mind here is for the Red Sox to pull the trigger on a deal for Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels. The most intriguing part about any given transaction that involves Hamels is that he is off to a poor start in the City of Brotherly Love. Though this may seem like a contradiction, it is merely a contrary proposition. Due to Hamels’ poor start to the season, Philadelphia may have bitten off more than they can chew with their initial price tag. The Phillies are also 5-9 and bottom feeders in the NL East. Logically, it would make sense for both sides to come to a consensus on an agreement. But who would the Red Sox give up in return? It’s quite simple really.

Rusney Castillo.

Rusney Castillo Boston Red Sox

Kim Klement-USA Today Sports

Though there will be a gaping hole in right field once Shane Victorino‘s contract expires, there are multiple candidates who could fill that criteria. Jackie Bradley Jr. and Castillo are the first two names that come to mind. For Bradley, a terrible campaign last year determined his fate for the beginning of the 2015 season. Looked at to rejuvenate the outfield with last year’s “youth movement,” Bradley failed to live up to moderate expectations.

During the spring, though, Bradley positioned himself back on Boston’s radar, batting .381 while looking surprisingly comfortable at the plate. It’s Bradley’s tenacity and drive that should make him “untouchable” for the Red Sox. He’s also their best defensive outfielder. Castillo, on the other hand, is expendable.

After signing a seven-year, $72 million contract last season, Red Sox nation hasn’t been allowed the privilege to analyze the Cuban prodigy. Many scouts believe he could, eventually, be one of the purest right-handed hitters in all of baseball. That’s definitely a good scouting report to take away, but how high is his upside? Castillo is already 27 years of age and has found himself on the 15-day disabled list while dwindling in the Sox farm system.

Would a package of Castillo and a prospect pitcher like Henry Owens be enough to entice Philadelphia to relieve themselves of their left-handed ace? The Red Sox should at least make the offer and see what kind of response they receive.

Your Favorites