CY Young Champion Coming To Boston: Red Sox Set to Land Former Winner
The Boston Red Sox struggled in 2024, finishing third in the AL East with an 81-81 record and failing to reach the postseason for the third consecutive season.
While their offense was primarily productive, their starting rotation struggled. Only Tanner Houck posted an ERA under 4.08. Boston addressed this issue by adding Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler.
Despite their offseason additions, the Red Sox enter the 2025 season with plenty of question marks. Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford, and Lucas Giolito are all expected to begin the year on the injured list. Boston has been linked to 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara.
Jeff Passan of ESPN recently shared that teams believe the two-time All-Star could be available at the trade deadline. Zach Rymer of Bleacher Report predicted that the Red Sox will be in the mix, writing:
So strong is the Red Sox’s starting pitching on paper that only three teams project to get more WAR in 2025. That would be a welcome departure from last year, when Boston starters were hot early and then cool the rest of the way. Not all is well, though. The Red Sox have already run into injury turbulence… This is just one reason to keep an eye on Boston as a potential player for Alcantara. The other is that the team has more young bats than it has space for, something the Marlins would probably be all too happy to help with. Trade Proposal: Boston Red Sox get RHP Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins get RF Wilyer Abreu, SS Franklin Arias (Red Sox No. 4, MLB No. 90). Abreu isn’t a “star,” per se, but the 25-year-old is a Gold Glove winner with a .842 OPS against right-handers for his two seasons. Put him on the Marlins, and he’s arguably their best player. Arias, 19, is a long way from the majors, but he projects as a quality hitter who plays plus defense at shortstop, per Zach Rymer of Bleacher Report
Rymer noted that – in addition to the injuries to Bello, Crawford, and Giolito – Crochet and Buehler have durability concerns of their own. Alcantara does not come without health issues, as he missed the entire 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery.
He has been dominant in his return to the mound during Spring Training. Alcantara has pitched 12.1 innings without allowing an earned run, striking out ten batters and walking just three.
