SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 04: Chris Flexen #77 of the Seattle Mariners pitches. Can the Red Sox trade for Flexen? (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Boston Red Sox will be looking to get back to the postseason after missing out all together in 2022. How can the Red Sox get back to their winning ways?
The Boston Red Sox have a tough task ahead of them heading into 2023. With the team preparing for spring training in just a little over a week, it still feels as though Boston is a few moves away from fielding a competitive team in 2023.
After all, the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, and Tampa Bay Rays all reside in the same division, and all three made it to the playoffs in 2022. The Baltimore Orioles also made a surprise run at the postseason and will be looking to build off their success heading into the upcoming season.
While Boston’s roster is very different than the one fans remember from a year ago, there are still some familiar faces. Rafael Devers, Christian Arroyo, and Kike Hernandez will be back at Fenway this year. But J.D. Martinez and Xander Bogaerts will be playing elsewhere in 2023.
So, with the Red Sox roster in flux and many pundits unwilling to jump on the Boston bandwagon, perhaps there are some ways Chaim Bloom and the front office can improve the club. Let’s look at one trade, one free agent signing, and one prospect that could help Boston get back to the postseason.
Red Sox rumors: 1 trade, signing and prospect call-up to make the playoffs
Red Sox should trade for pitcher Chris Flexen
The Boston Red Sox have done a nice job of shoring up the team’s bullpen. After and underwhelming performance from the relief corps in 2022, Chaim Bloom and Boston front office made some nice additions during the offseason.
But, the starting rotation leaves a lot to be desired. There’s no way that anyone in New England is counting on Chris Sale to stay off the IL in 2023. Sale made just two starts last season after toeing the rubber just nine times in 2021. Sale has totaled less than 50 innings pitched over the last two seasons.
Seattle Mariners right-hander Chris Flexen may be on the trade block this year. After acquiring Luis Castillo from the Cincinnati Reds at last year’s trade deadline, Flexen went from the rotation to the bullpen. Flexen has posted a 22-15 record over the past two seasons with a 3.66 ERA.
Flexen is never going to blow you away with high strikeout numbers, but he does a good job of keeping the base paths clear and is under team control through the 2026 season. After unloading the farm system to get Castillo last summer, you have to think that Jerry Dipoto and the M’s would be looking for a prospect or two in return.