Red Sox Bullpen Continues to Bleed; This Trade Could Solve Problem
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The Boston Red Sox have relied this season on 29-year-old Garrett Whitlock to get games to fireballing closer Aroldis Chapman. But Whitlock, acquired by the Red Sox from the New York Yankees in the 2020 Rule 5 Draft, has been badly overworked, as Red Sox starters have frequently made early exits.
WIth 40 innings pitched already, Whitlock is tied for fifth-most by relievers in all of MLB.
On Monday, Whitlock came into a 5-5 game against the Los Angeles Angels in the seventh inning, but after one scoreless frame, he melted down in the eighth, surrendering four runs and putting the game effectively out of reach, leading to Boston's third loss in a row.
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 23: Manager Alex Cora #13 of Boston Red Sox looks on in the top of the fifth inning during the game against the at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 23,...
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 23: Manager Alex Cora #13 of Boston Red Sox looks on in the top of the fifth inning during the game against the at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 23, 2025 in Anaheim, California. MoreFor that matter, the Red Sox bullpen as a whole has thrown the eighth-most innings in the majors, with 296 1/3 heading into Tuesday's middle game of the three-game road set against the Angels.
The Red Sox bullpen needs help, and a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays could bring some. According to an ESPN.com analysis by Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan published on Tuesday, Rays closer Pete Fairbanks is likely to be available at the trade deadline, if not before.
The ESPN.com report assesses that Fairbanks has a 60 percent chance of being shipped out by the deadline. Why? It wouldn't be his performance. His 13 saves against just one blown opportunity have played a crucial role in getting the Rays to their 43-35 record, just two games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the American League East.
The problem is that Fairbanks is playing the final season of his three-year, $12 million deal in Tampa Bay. The club has an option that will cost $7 million for next season, but with the third-lowest payroll in baseball at $55.76 million, Tampa Bay seems unlikely to pick that option up.
Fairbanks would in effect be a rental. After the season, the Red Sox could choose whether to keep him around. That means his price would probably be lower than his value might otherwise command.
More MLB: Could NL Contender Be Trade Partner For $120 Million Red Sox Infielder?
The Red Sox could probably avoid dealing away any of their top 10 prospects, pulling from the next tier instead. Given Tampa Bay's history of developing young pitching, the Red Sox could look at sending their 2024 eighth-round draft pick, one of the youngest players in that draft class, 18-year-old Conrad Cason for Fairbanks.
Ranked at No. 16 in the Red Sox system, Cason is a two-way player. A right-handed pitcher whose fastball reaches 98 mph, the Georgia native out of Greater Atlanta Christian high school is also an athletic, strong-armed shortstop.
The Red Sox plan to develop him as a two-way player, which may also appeal to the cost-conscious Rays who would be getting both a pitcher and position player for the price of one, simply by giving up Fairbanks.
More MLB: Giants Announce Unfortunate Rafael Devers Injury Setback
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