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## Bargain Bin Trade Deadline Starting Pitching Options for the Red Sox
What if Craig Breslow needs to visit TJ Maxx? With the trade deadline approaching, the Red Sox find themselves in a position where bolstering their starting rotation could be crucial for a playoff push. However, injuries and the reluctance to part with top prospects might force them to explore more affordable options. This article delves into potential bargain bin starting pitchers who could provide reliable innings without breaking the bank.
### Adrian Houser: A Diamond in the Rough
Adrian Houser is quietly having the best season of his career, posting a 2.10 ERA over 11 starts. While he doesn’t rack up strikeouts, his solid 8% walk rate and ability to induce ground balls make him an intriguing option. Right-handed hitters struggle against him, batting just .208, thanks to his effective sinker. The pitch features good horizontal movement and a seam-shifted wake effect, leading to a 58% groundball rate and a minuscule 1.5% barrel rate. His curveball is also a valuable weapon, generating both swinging and called strikes, while his four-seam fastball and changeup serve as effective two-strike offerings.
However, lefties have found more success against Houser, hitting .288. He hasn’t consistently thrown strikes against them, and his curveball and changeup, which make up about 40% of his arsenal, don’t generate strikes at a high rate. Despite this, his sinker hasn’t been hit hard, and his four-seam fastball has also returned strikes despite a low swinging-strike rate. Houser also possesses a hard slider that he could utilize more frequently, potentially at the expense of his curveball or changeup.
### JP Sears: A Project Worth Considering
JP Sears of the Oakland Athletics presents an intriguing, albeit less conventional, trade target. As a left-handed pitcher with a low release point and a flat fastball, Sears aligns with Craig Breslow’s demonstrated affinity for such pitchers. Sears could be a prime candidate for the Red Sox’s pitching development program. A slight increase in fastball velocity could significantly enhance his effectiveness.
Sears’ primary challenge lies in his inability to consistently put hitters away, particularly right-handed batters. While his fastball shape should theoretically be effective, he hasn’t located it up in the zone with enough frequency to generate outs. His slider appears to be the most promising pitch for generating swings and misses against righties, but it sometimes blends in with his sweeper. Despite these concerns, Sears’ existing traits and potential for development could make him a worthwhile gamble for the Red Sox.
### Mike Soroka: A High-Risk, High-Reward Play
Mike Soroka is another pitcher plagued by pronounced platoon splits, excelling against right-handed hitters but struggling against lefties. A primary culprit is his ineffective fastball, which he frequently throws to left-handed batters with little success. The Red Sox would almost certainly reduce the usage of this pitch if they were to acquire Soroka.
While Soroka lacks an obvious replacement for his four-seam fastball, he could greatly benefit from adding a cutter to his repertoire. Although he hasn’t used it before, a cutter could serve as an effective strike-getting pitch against left-handed hitters, potentially mitigating his platoon issues. If the Red Sox don’t pursue a trade for Soroka now, he remains a player to watch in the offseason.
### Jose Soriano: The Wild Card
Jose Soriano of the Los Angeles Angels embodies the type of pitcher Jordan Hicks aspires to be as a starter. He relies heavily on his sinker, throwing it approximately 50% of the time, even if he doesn’t always have pinpoint control over it. Fortunately, the pitch clocks in at 97 mph and boasts significant sideways movement, making it difficult for hitters to handle. As a result, an astounding 79% of batted balls against Soriano are ground balls.
Beyond his sinker, Soriano incorporates a curveball, four-seam fastball, slider, and splitter into his arsenal. His curveball occasionally finds the strike zone against righties, while his four-seam fastball does the same against lefties. However, most of his other pitches tend to be located outside the zone, leading to occasional control issues and walks.
### Trevor Bauer: Absolutely Not
Who let you back in here? The answer is still no. Under no circumstances should this team acquire Trevor Bauer.
### Conclusion: Weighing the Options
As the trade deadline looms, the Red Sox must carefully consider their options for bolstering the starting rotation. While a blockbuster trade for a top-tier starter remains a possibility, exploring the bargain bin could yield valuable additions without sacrificing the team’s long-term future. Adrian Houser offers a reliable veteran presence with a track record of success. JP Sears presents an intriguing developmental project with the potential to unlock further upside. Mike Soroka, despite his platoon splits, could thrive with targeted adjustments to his pitch mix. Jose Soriano offers a high-octane, groundball-inducing presence that could be a valuable asset in the right situation. Ultimately, the Red Sox’s decision will depend on their assessment of each pitcher’s potential fit within the team’s existing structure and their willingness to take calculated risks in pursuit of a championship.
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