Red Sox Predicted to Trade for Pirates' Mitch Keller

Red Sox Predicted to Trade for Pirates' Mitch Keller originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

With the trade deadline just one week away, the Boston Red Sox have a decision to make. Whether the team buys or sells, or a combination of both, needs to be decided soon.

After their win over the Philadelphia Phillies, the team is trending towards being buyers at the deadline. David Schoenfield of ESPN predicted that if the Red Sox do buy, they'd target a $77 million starter from the NL Central.

Schoenfield predicts that the "Pittsburgh Pirates trade Mitch Keller to the Red Sox."

Adding a player like Keller would be a perfect deadline pickup for the Red Sox. With the team looking to contend beyond just 2025, Keller's contract running through 2028 makes a lot of sense to pick up.

"The (Mitch) Keller rumors keep picking up steam." Schoenfield writes, "He's signed through 2028, although this type of controllable pitcher is rarely -- ever? -- traded at the deadline."

While the odds of a trade may seem slim when looking at things holistically, the Pirates' trading Keller has been picking up steam, as Schoenfield writes, and could be one of the top players moved at the deadline.

The Pirates, in search of offense, could add from the crowded Red Sox outfield in such a deal. Moving Jarren Duran for Keller might seem like an overpay, but it won't be cheap to bring in a controllable starter who's a former All-Star.

The 29-year-old right-hander was an All-Star in 2023. Now, in 2025, Keller is pitching as well as he's pitched in his career. He has a 3.53 ERA in 21 starts with a 4-10 record which doesn't tell the story of his performances this season.

Keller, just like Paul Skenes, has no help from his offense in Pittsburgh. With a lack of run support, it's no surprise that his record looks a lot worse than his statistics show.

Across 125 innings this season, Keller has 97 strikeouts and 30 walks along with a 1.160 WHIP. He's striking out the fewest batters per nine innings since his 2020 season, and yet, he's been at his best in 2024.

Due to Keller's years of control, 2028 landing him in Boston will cost a lot. But, starters of this caliber aren't available often.

The Red Sox are one of the teams that make the most sense for Keller, hence why Schoenfield predicts the Pirates starter to go to Boston at the trade deadline.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.