MLB Rumors: 4 Jack Flaherty trade destinations, 1 for Cardinals to avoid

2. Boston Red Sox could be a last-gasp Jack Flaherty trade fit

Sure, the Boston Red Sox are in last place in the AL East. However, the club is still alive in the Wild Card race in the expanded playoffs for this season, sitting just 4.5 games back of the third spot and five games behind the Yankees for the second wild card slot. They aren’t out of it — and have to be lamenting not playing in the AL Central where they’d be 0.5 games out of first.

Pitching, however, is a massive issue for the club right now. The Red Sox have already trotted out a long list of failed starters this season with the likes of Corey Kluber and Nick Pivetta struggling mightily and ultimately getting relegated to bullpen roles. That situation has been made even worse, though, with another Chris Sale injury landing the lefty on the 60-day IL.

Boston remains a dangerous team, however, if they can boost the rotation in any meaningful way at the trade deadline. This is one of the better hitting lineups in baseball, even if they can be maddeningly inconsistent, but could use more help on the mound.

Chaim Bloom has shown a willingness to take risks on players who have injury histories, for better or worse, throughout his tenure in Boston. Jack Flaherty definitely fits that bill. Not only could trading with the Cardinals give the Red Sox a necessary jolt for the 2023 season but he would also be an intriguing extension candidate for Bloom and the front office to explore moving forward as he’s just 27 years old.