If there is any team that needs to upgrade its starting rotation at the MLB trade deadline, it is the Boston Red Sox. While Lucas Giolito continues to rebuild his image after a rough start to the season, and Brayan Bello blossoms into an integral piece of Boston’s future, Walker Buehler does not belong on a major league roster, at least one competing for a playoff spot. Boston can no longer in good faith let Buehler toe the rubber every fifth day and must look for a replacement to bolster their rotation in time for a second-half playoff push.
Red Sox Labeled Best Fit for Diamondbacks' Cy Young Finalist to Bolster Rotation originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
If there is any team that needs to upgrade its starting rotation at the MLB trade deadline, it is the Boston Red Sox. While Lucas Giolito continues to rebuild his image after a rough start to the season, and Brayan Bello blossoms into an integral piece of Boston’s future, Walker Buehler does not belong on a major league roster, at least one competing for a playoff spot.
Buehler’s 6.12 ERA ranks fifth-worst among starts with at least 70 innings pitched, and his home runs per nine sit just below 2.0 on the season. Boston can no longer in good faith let Buehler toe the rubber every fifth day and must look for a replacement to bolster their rotation in time for a second-half playoff push.
With Boston holding a slim 1.5-game lead for the third Wild Card spot, Bleacher Report’s Joel Rueter lists the Red Sox as the top landing spot for Arizona Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen.
“With Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito both pitching behind ace Garrett Crochet during the Red Sox's recent run of success, they might be the perfect team to roll the dice on Gallen returning to his frontline form in the second half.”
As Rueter states, acquiring Gallen is a big gamble. The former Cy Young finalist is struggling through the worst season of his career with a 5.40 ERA and 4.80 FIP in 115 innings. On paper, he does not sound like a direct upgrade over Buehler, but there is hope that Gallen is starting to turn the corner.
In two of his three starts before the All-Star Break, Gallen posted consecutive quality starts. He tossed six-plus innings in both, allowing just one run and striking out 19 batters. Gallen’s rental status could also make him a cheaper option than Marlins’ ace Sandy Alcantara or Pirates’ Mitch Keller. Yet, Gallen's upside makes him a far more intriguing option with no long-term attachment.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
