Red Sox rumors: 5 moves to make Boston World Series champions

Oct 20, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (11) celebrates with designated hitter J.D. Martinez (28) after hitting a solo home run against the Houston Astros during the seventh inning of game five of the 2021 ALCS at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jun 23, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher Brett Martin (59) pitches against the Oakland Athletics during the eighth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Red Sox rumors: Trade for the Texas Rangers’ Brett Martin or John King

Here’s one you might not have seen coming: the Red Sox should trade for one of the Texas Rangers’ lefty relievers.

As important as it is to have a good back-end of the bullpen (hence the Jansen signing), you also need to have a solid middle relief corps. Boston does already, but besides Josh Taylor and Darwinzon Hernandez from the left side, their other relief options are right-handed. The Rangers’ Brett Martin and/or John King could help with that.

Martin, 26, is a ground ball machine with sharp breaking stuff who gets lefties out. He posted a 3.18 ERA in 2021 as one of Texas’ better relief options. King, 27, has a similar profile and finished 2021 with a 3.52 ERA.

Of the two, Martin was healthier, so perhaps that’s the way to go for the Red Sox in this case. Ground ball pitchers who can get lefties out in critical situations are valuable in baseball, and Martin can be had for not much more than a few mid-level prospects. He also has four years of team control (through 2026) at arbitration prices.

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