Red Sox trade target makes perfect audition with no-hit bid vs. Yankees

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - APRIL 13: Manager Alex Cora #21 of the Boston Red Sox looks on during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 13, 2023 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - APRIL 13: Manager Alex Cora #21 of the Boston Red Sox looks on during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 13, 2023 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Boston Red Sox could be looking for a pitcher at the trade deadline and one trade target just no-hit the Yankees for six innings.

With the number of pitchers who were Boston Red Sox starters in the Opening Day rotation who have since been moved to the bullpen or are now on the IL — lookin’ at you, Chris Sale — it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the club is expected to look at pitchers at the MLB Trade Deadline in order to upgrade that department.

One of the most widely discussed possible targets has been Chicago White Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito. With the Southsiders potentially heading toward a fire sale and with Giolito set to hit free agency this offseason, he’s an easy candidate to be dealt.

And if the Red Sox are interested, Giolito just provided an elite audition against Boston’s biggest rival, the New York Yankees.

Throwing 100 pitches over 6.0 innings of work, Giolito completely blanked the Yankees, not only not conceding a run, but no-hitting the Evil Empire for the entirety of his outing and allowing only three base-runners on a trio of walks. Sure, the White Sox made it tougher than it should’ve been to win, but the 28-year-old starter more than did his part.

He also made himself even more enticing for the Red Sox.

Red Sox trade target Lucas Giolito no-hits Yankees over 6 in pseudo audition

Giolito, even before no-hitting the Yankees over six innings, was considered an ideal Red Sox trade target.

For the season, the veteran righty has been more than solid with a 3.75 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. More importantly, he’s been a Quality Start machine, notching his seventh of the season in 13 starts on Tuesday evening.

Particularly with Sale, who was enjoying a legitimate resurgence prior to returning to the IL, out of action for some time, the Red Sox desperately need veterans who can stabalize the rotation. James Paxton has been a pleasant surprise, but the likes of Brayan Bello, Garrett Whitlock and Tanner Houck have been problematically inconsistent. Giolito would be a huge help for that.

Of course, given the situation and his performance, Lucas Giolito is expected to be heavily in demand at the trade deadline. But if the Red Sox are serious about trying to contend for a playoff spot, Chaim Bloom needs to be on the phones trying to make this trade happen.

After all, having a certified Yankee-killer in the rotation is always a good thing. And Giolito proved on Tuesday he’s very much that.

Next. Ranking every MLB team's front office from worst to first. dark