2 trades Red Sox can make to bury the Yankees in AL East race

Trade for Rangers RHP Kyle Gibson

There is no glossing over the fact that the Red Sox desperately need to improve their starting rotation at the trade deadline. Boston’s No. 1 pitcher is Eduardo Rodriguez, who owns a 5.83 ahead of Monday’s game against the Royals. Nathan Eovaldi is the only pitcher in the rotation who has an Era lower than 4.00 (3.67). While it is likely Chris Sale makes a return this season, it is unknown if he can return to is previous, dominant form.

Given that there is an obvious need for a starter ahead of the deadline, the Red Sox have to find a realistic option. While Max Scherzer would be an awesome acquisition, it is unknown if the Nationals will even consider trading him. But if there is one pitcher that is going to be available who has been rather good this season, it is Kyle Gibson of the Texas Rangers.

Gibson has not had season’s quite like this throughout his career. In his nine-year career, he has a cumulative ERA of 4.38. Through 15 starts in 2021, Gibson has an AL-best 2.00 ERA and 220 ERA+. And he is doing so on a rebuilding Rangers team.

Besides his ERA, Gibson has posted a 6-0 overall record, a 1.011 WHIP, 74 strikeouts and 26 walks in 90.0 innings of work.  Gibson did face off against the Red Sox on Apr. 29, where he struck out four batters while allowing just one earned run, eight fly balls and nine ground balls in 6.0 innings of work in a 4-1 victory.

Gibson is going to be an expensive get at the trade deadline. He is in the second season of his three-year, $28 million deal with the Rangers, where he owns a base salary of just $7 million next season. But if the Red Sox want to bolster their starting rotation to help make a push for the World Series, they must consider adding Gibson.