5 top-end pitchers Red Sox could pursue at trade deadline

If Joe Ryan is the highest pitcher the Crimson Sox have on their commerce deadline wishlist, then they may should discover a new No. 1 pitching goal.

The Twins are anticipated to maintain Ryan, however will take heed to gives on him forward of the July 31 commerce deadline, USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale reported Sunday.

Boston was first linked to the Minnesota right-handed pitcher earlier in July. MLB Community’s Jon Morosi experiences that the Red Sox were among a group of teams “monitoring” Ryan’s availability.

Ryan, 29, checks a number of packing containers to be the Crimson Sox’ perfect commerce candidate. He was named an All-Star this 12 months, as he’s 9-4 with a 2.72 ERA, 0.915 WHIP, and 121 strikeouts in 109 1/3 innings pitched over 19 appearances earlier than his begin on Sunday. He’s additionally posted a sub-4.00 ERA in two of the final three seasons, and is below contract by way of the tip of the 2027 season.

Nevertheless, the truth that Ryan remains to be below management for 2 extra years probably means the Twins would need an entire lot from the Crimson Sox to get a deal completed. When the Crimson Sox traded for Garrett Crochet in December, they gave up two top-100 general prospects (Kyle Teel, Braden Montgomery) because the then-White Sox pitcher had two years of group management remaining.

With Ryan showing more likely to keep in Minnesota past the commerce deadline, listed below are 5 different top-end beginning pitchers the Crimson Sox may purchase forward of July 31.

Diamondbacks RHPs Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly

Gallen and Kelly appear to be the top-end beginning pitchers most certainly to get moved forward of the deadline. Each righties are within the remaining years of their respective offers, and the Diamondbacks have struggled to maintain within the Nationwide League playoff image.

Gallen, who turns 30 in August, has the higher monitor file of the 2 pitchers, proving to be a Cy Younger candidate within the 2022 and 2023 seasons. However, he’s struggled this 12 months, holding a 7-10 file to go along with a 5.40 ERA, 1.374 WHIP, and 110 strikeouts over 115 innings in 20 begins.

Kelly, on the opposite had, has been strong. The 36-year-old is 8-5 with a 3.34 ERA, 1.052 WHIP, and 113 strikeouts in 116 innings pitched over his first 20 begins. He additionally had a 2.25 ERA in 4 begins throughout Arizona’s shock World Sequence run in 2023, one thing Boston may use if it has hopes of creating a deep playoff run.

Royals RHP Seth Lugo

The Crimson Sox expressed curiosity in Lugo in the course of the 2023-24 offseason earlier than he signed a three-year, $45 million cope with the Royals. That wound up being a miss by Boston as Lugo completed second within the AL Cy Younger final 12 months.

A 12 months and a half later, Craig Breslow would possibly be capable to rectify the error the Crimson Sox made on lacking out on Lugo. The Athletic‘s Zack Meisel recently predicted that the Royals will finally commerce Lugo as he has a participant possibility for the 2026 season. Kansas Metropolis additionally entered Sunday with a 47-52 file.

Lugo, 35, is within the midst of one other robust 12 months. He’s 6-5 with a 2.94 ERA, 1.093 WHIP, and 93 strikeouts in 107 innings pitched over 18 begins. He additionally had a 2.89 ERA over two postseason begins for the Royals final season.

Marlins RHP Sandy Alcantara

Alcantara is likely to be one of many extra intriguing gamers who may very well be moved forward of the deadline. The 29-year-old has proven he might be an elite pitcher, successful NL Cy Younger in 2022.

Nevertheless, if the Marlins commerce him now, they’d be promoting low on him. He’s had a tough 2025 season after lacking the 2024 season attributable to Tommy John surgical procedure, posting a 7.14 ERA. His FIP is so much higher than that, nevertheless it isn’t nice (4.66) and he has a 1.495 WHIP.

Nonetheless, Alcantara has a great monitor file and is below group management by way of the tip of the 2027 season. However after taking an opportunity on Walker Buehler off Tommy John surgical procedure this offseason, would the Crimson Sox wish to take an analogous threat with Alcantara as they compete for the playoffs?

Pirates RHP Mitch Keller

Past the primary few choices, there aren’t many pitchers who is likely to be obtainable who’ve proven top-end stuff of their careers. So, we is likely to be stretching it a bit with Keller.

Nonetheless, Keller has largely been strong in his profession with the Pirates. The 29-year-old is within the midst of a profession 12 months as effectively, holding a 3.48 ERA to go along with a 1.143 WHIP and 92 strikeouts in 119 innings pitched over 20 begins. His four-seam fastball has additionally been one of the efficient pitches this season, per Baseball Savant.

Like Ryan, although, Keller is below group management for the foreseeable future. He has three years remaining on a five-year, $77 million extension he signed in 2024. A number of groups have expressed curiosity in Keller, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Noah Hiles.