The Boston Red Sox have found a bright spot in their pitching staff this season with Garrett Crochet, acquired this offseason and quickly proving to be a crucial contributor. With the team currently struggling through rotation difficulties, Crochet’s impressive 2.34 ERA significantly outperforms the 4.29 ERA posted by the rest of the Red Sox starters, whose collective marks rank ninth worst in Major League Baseball. His strong performances have kept Boston within 2.5 games of a wild card spot as they fight to remain competitive in the postseason race.
Search for Additional Starting Pitching Support Intensifies
While Crochet’s success is vital, the Red Sox recognize that relying heavily on him alone will not secure a playoff berth. This pressing need has sparked talks about possible trade targets to reinforce the rotation. One player drawing attention is Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins, seen as a promising yet unproven arm who might offer value at a reasonable cost.
Stephen Parello of FanSided pointed out Cabrera as an under-the-radar candidate worth watching. The right-handed pitcher is noted for his varied pitching tools and strong strikeout ability, although he has faced setbacks due to injuries and control problems, particularly with issuing walks. With two years remaining before arbitration, Cabrera represents a potentially affordable option, despite never having pitched more than 99.2 innings in a season, which makes him a somewhat risky acquisition for Boston.
Edward Cabrera’s Strengths and Limitations
This season, Cabrera has posted a respectable 3.41 ERA across 14 starts. His development has been slowed by health issues, yet glimpses of his potential suggest he could evolve into a frontline starter. His contract control until 2028 might come with a higher price on the market, but the Red Sox may consider this investment necessary to improve their rotation depth and bolster their postseason chances.
Boston’s endurance in the playoff hunt remains impressive, especially with the recent loss of Rafael Devers and Alex Bregman’s injury adding challenges. The team hopes to see Bregman return as soon as next week, which alongside a reinforced pitching staff, might spark a meaningful winning streak as they push down the final stretch.
Trade Deadline Moves Could Define Boston’s Season
As the All-Star break approaches, Boston’s performance in the next few weeks will be critical in shaping their trade deadline strategy. The impending decisions will likely determine if they can solidify a postseason push or face disappointment. With Garrett Crochet leading the charge and the prospect of adding Edward Cabrera, the Red Sox stand at an important crossroads that could shape the outcome of their season.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How fast was Garrett Crochet fastball?
A. Left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet reached a maximum speed of 98.9 mph with his fastball in his second Grapefruit League start on Friday.
The Red Sox are facing the Phillies in Clearwater. Boston is ahead, 3-1, in the fourth inning.
According to Baseball Savant, the 25-year-old Crochet threw 18 four-seam fastballs, averaging 97.3 mph.