Red Sox Manager Alex Cora hinted that Garrett Whitlock will return to the pen, increasing the likelihood of the Red Sox adding at least one starting pitcher.
The MLB Winter Meetings are well underway in Dallas and Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora gave some interesting tidbits to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo in a sitdown interview.
One reveal will impact what the Red Sox do for the rest of the offseason. Cora suggested that Garrett Whitlock will likely return to the bullpen when he fully recovers from the UCL repair surgery he underwent in May.
Whitlock’s return to the bullpen should be a plus for his stats and will give the Red Sox a valuable swing-and-miss pitcher for the late innings. However, removing Whitlock from a potential starting role means Boston will certainly need to add at least two new starters to their rotation to go along with Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, and Lucas Giolito. Kutter Crawford struggled down the stretch last season and is certainly not a lock for the rotation. Nick Pivetta seems likely to move on in free agency.
Given recent departures from Boston and the Whitlock update, the Red Sox will need to bolster their rotation with a few more starters. There are a few quality options still available.
Alex Cora’s update on Garrett Whitlock’s future makes Red Sox even more desperate for starting pitchers
The Red Sox now look to be on the outskirts of the trade market for White Sox lefty Garrett Crochet. Some mid-market teams have made some noise, but the Mets and Yankees appear to be the frontrunners. However, the Red Sox have the most capital at their disposal, especially if they offer prospect Marcelo Mayo in any deal.
The price tag will be steep for the last remaining ace on the free agent market, Corbin Burnes. Burnes is a proven winner and showed his mettle in the AL East last season while pitching for Baltimore. Boston is reportedly preparing an offer for the righty, and if it does not succeed in signing him, Red Sox Nation will not be happy.
The Mariners veteran righty Luis Castillo is rumored to be on the market as the M’s clear some salary to make a splash in free agency. Castillo has three years remaining on his current deal with an option for a fourth. He’s a proven winner with playoff experience and has swing-and-miss stuff.
Dylan Cease could also be on the move again as the Padres consider moving on from his salary with just one year of club control remaining. Cease is another swing-and-miss pitcher who eats innings and could add another power arm to the Sox rotation.
Boston’s rotation needs plenty of work. Save for Bello, the Red Sox have several question marks. Giolito missed all of last season with an injury, Houck is coming off his first full year as a starter, and Crawford faded down the stretch after a promising start. Adding one starter to the mix is a must, but to paraphrase Hall of Famer Ernie Banks, let’s get two!
