The Red Sox could be in on an elite trade target, will finally get to see a debut they've waited over a year for, and the secret to Jarren Duran's breakout.
A majority of the offseason for Boston Red Sox fans, perhaps outside of the Rafael Devers extension and the hope found in signing Masataka Yoshida, was spent decrying Chaim Bloom and not feeling optimistic about the 2023 season. But after 37 games, the club is a solid 21-16, in contention for an AL Wild Card spot, and generally looking much better than expected.
It's a long season, though, but the Red Sox appear positioned to not just weather that storm, but also get better. They have a big debut looming in the very near future, they have young players breaking out in major ways, and they could be aggressive going after one of the biggest trade targets who could be available at the deadline.
We're breaking all of that down, so move through this venture in Red Sox rumors and news to see what the future in Boston could hold both with the players who are on the roster and at least one who could be on the roster by the end of the season.
Red Sox Rumors: James Paxton, finally, set to take the mound for Boston
Trying to reshape the rotation ahead of the ultimately disastrous 2022 season, the Red Sox inked veteran James Paxton to a potential two-year deal. As he recovered from Tommy John surgery, though, he didn't see the field once for Boston in the first year of that contract.
That then paved the way for him to come back and be a veteran presence for the Red Sox this season after the club exercised a mutual $4 million option. However, a hamstring injury has bothered him to start the 2023 campaign, which he's had to rehab back from.
But now it's time to see what James Paxton gives to the Red Sox as he's set to make his team debut on Friday, May 12 in Boston against the Cardinals, which manager Alex Cora announced on Tuesday.
Paxton hasn't pitched since April 6, 2021 due to his litany of injuries and has just six starts — partly due to the shortened 2020 season and another injury — since the 2019 season.
Having said that, the Red Sox rotation needs help in a major way given that they are 28th in MLB in ERA (6.10) for starting pitchers on the season. They need a boost or, at the very least, more options.
Paxton had an ERA above 6.00 in six minor league appearances for his rehab this year, but he started to show more signs of progress with each outing. With that, there will be high hopes that the 34-year-old southpaw can give a big boost to the Boston pitching staff.
Red Sox Rumors: Jarren Duran's breakout 2023 spawned by Dustin Pedroia
Of the big-time performances that the Red Sox have seen this season, you'd be hard-pressed to find one more surprising than that of Jarren Duran.
Duran, to put it bluntly, was a bit of headache in the 2022 season after getting called up for the second time in his year, particularly with his underperforming. He had a number of head-scratching defensive mishaps while slashing a measly .221/.283/.363 over 58 games. If he got time in the majors in 2023, few fans were hopeful that it would yield big results.
But it has.
In 21 games with the Red Sox this season, Jarren Duran is putting up monster numbers, slashing .360/.405/.587 with 13 extra-base hits, 13 RBI and five stolen bases to his credit. Moreover, he's been a solid, rangy defender in the outfield as well.
So what brought about the start of a breakout season for Duran? Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required) revealed that Red Sox legend Dustin Pedroia was instrumental in laying the groundwork. Pedey worked with Duran in spring training, not only instilling more confidence in the 26-year-old outfielder, but also coaching him to get his hands up higher at the plate.
Clearly, Pedroia knows a thing or two about hitting for the Red Sox. And he's also doing a phenomenal job of imparting his knowledge to current players, with Jarren Duran's start to the 2023 season being a shining example.
Red Sox Rumors: Lucas Giolito emerging as big-name trade target
Yes, the hope for the Red Sox is that James Paxton's return to the rotation, in addition to getting the likes of Garrett Whitlock and others in the mix once they're healthy, will give the starting pitching a boost. But there's also a chance that, if they keep winning and in playoff contention, that could be the first place they look at the trade deadline.
So where would Chaim Bloom and the organization look?
The other Sox, the ones on the southside of Chicago, have all but bottomed out this season and, thus, could be major sellers at the trade deadline. And they have a bevy of options for them to sell, particularly on the pitching staff. But Lucas Giolito is the guy that should be of interest to Boston.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic (subscription required) questioned whether the White Sox would keep Giolito in any fire sale. And that makes perfect sense as he might be their best asset based on this season's performance.
In eight starts, Giolito already has five Quality Starts to his credit while posting a 3.59 ERA and 1.11 WHIP on the year. He's looked back in All-Star-caliber form but has just been saddled with a Chicago team that just looks lost.
If the Red Sox can offer some high-end prospects for Giolito, he would be a phenomenal fit in the rotation, especially if Chris Sale can continue on the uptick as he has been recently. That's a fantastic 1-2 punch that would answer a ton of questions about Boston's ceiling in the 2023 season.
