Watch CBS News

The Red Sox Need Another Ace: What Would It Take To Get One?

By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston

BOSTON (CBS) -- The Red Sox could certainly use another pitcher just to help out the back-end of the rotation. But if the Red Sox want to make the playoffs and go on a deep run if and when they get there, they will need another ace.

Call it a "strong No. 2," call it a 1A, call it whatever. The Red Sox ultimately need to add a high-end pitcher behind (in front of?) David Price to have any legitimacy as a contender. Ideally, the Red Sox are looking at a three-year window with Price; that is when he reaches his opt-out clause, and if he does opt out that means he's pitching well enough to make even more than the $30 million AAV he's already making. So if the Red Sox want to maximize that window, they'll need help in the rotation - at the top, not the bottom.

How could the Red Sox pull off such a coup? It would require a major trade, one featuring multiple high-end prospects. Fortunately, the Red Sox do have plenty of those, and president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski would not be afraid to part with them if a potential ace is on the table. A trade would also require a willing and able trade partner; unfortunately, there aren't many of those this season.

But this is not a time for rational thought. The Red Sox need to think big, and step 1 is believing that the big move is possible.

Who could the Red Sox trade?

Yoan-Moncada
Red Sox prospect Yoan Moncada. (WBZ-TV)

The Red Sox currently have three of the top 25 prospects in baseball, according to MLB.com: second baseman Yoan Moncada (No. 5), third baseman Rafael Devers (No. 14), and outfielder Andrew Benintendi (No. 21). One of these guys may have to be part of a package to get a high-end starter. While the team may say they are "untouchable," with Dombrowski anything is possible.

A big trade for an elite starter would also certainly require a top pitching prospect. That means the Red Sox would have to part with either former No. 7 overall pick Trey Ball, who has a 2.95 ERA this season at Single-A Salem, or undrafted 18-year-old Venezuelan Anderson Espinoza, who MLB.com already ranks as the No. 34 prospect in baseball.

If the Red Sox start a trade with, say, Benintendi and Ball, then add one-to-three more prospects - or, if necessary, a young everyday player not named Bogaerts - they should be able to net a world-class starter. And, let's be real, here: that kind of pitcher is absolutely necessary if the Red Sox seriously want to contend..

Established Aces

Jose Fernandez - Washington Nationals v Miami Marlins
Jose Fernandez of the Miami Marlins (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Your definition of "ace" may differ from mine; same for "No. 1 starter." There are nuances to those terms that I will distinguish here. First up, let's look at the established, bona fide front-line starters whom the Red Sox could have a chance at acquiring, for various reasons. These guys should be counted on to deliver high-end performances every fifth day from the start and be staff anchors for years to come - and arguably supplant Price as the true staff ace.

Jose Fernandez, Miami Marlins: Pardon my man-crush, but Fernandez is easily my favorite pitcher not wearing a Red Sox uniform. His pitch arsenal is absolutely electric and he's not just about stuff - he's a savvy, highly competitive ballplayer to boot. Tommy John surgery is already in the 23-year-old's rearview mirror and he is on pace to break Pedro Martinez's single-season record for strikeout rate from his historically good 1999 season. He has the upside to be the best pitcher in baseball for the next decade.

The Marlins are actually decent this year, so they may be more inclined to keep Fernandez long-term, but if there's any organization that would pull the rug out from under its roster (and its fans) it's Jeffrey Loria's front office. It would take a ridiculous trade package for the Red Sox to get Fernandez, but I think he is one of the few pitchers in baseball who would be worth it.

Matt Harvey, New York Mets: Harvey has had an awful season by his standards for the Mets, compiling a 4.95 ERA through 12 starts, but has pitched much better in his last two outings. The Mets already have a glut of high-end starting pitching with Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom, and Steven Matz, and need immediate offensive help, so perhaps they could swing a major deal with the Red Sox for the "Dark Knight."

The problem with that from Boston's side? A deal for Harvey would likely require a good everyday player who could contribute to the Mets immediately, like Mookie Betts or Jackie Bradley Jr. But the team will have to make a major sacrifice somewhere to get a pitcher of Harvey's caliber. Don't let his poor start fool you; the kid is still an ace and already has experience pitching in the World Series.

Young Future Aces With Upside

Sonny Gray - Division Series - Detroit Tigers v Oakland Athletics - Game Two
Sonny Gray of the Oakland Athletics (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The Red Sox could also be in the market for a starter who has the talent and makeup to be aces in the long-term - and could even contribute in a major way now and in the near future. These are the kinds of pitchers who would require a package of prospects and not necessarily everyday players.

Sonny Gray, Oakland Athletics: Gray has struggled this season and has already served a stint on the disabled list, but long-term has the makeup and upside of a staff leader. He has a strong pitch arsenal, led by his low-to-mid-90s four-seam fastball and excellent curveball plus a slider and changeup. Now might be the best time for the Sox to get Gray while his stock is down.

Drew Pomeranz, San Diego Padres: The former fifth overall pick is a big boy, standing at 6-foot-6, and appears to be coming into his own with the Padres in 2016. He has a 2.22 ERA with 77 strikeouts in 65 innings for San Diego in 2016. His fielder-independent ERA is still just 2.98, so Pomeranz has not just gotten lucky - he is the real deal. But it could also take a big package from the Red Sox to get him.

Archie Bradley, Arizona Diamondbacks: Bradley might be more of a project than other young starters, but the big righty is one of baseball's biggest "post-hype prospects" right now after a slow start to his major league career. Still, there's no denying his talent: he reaches the mid-90s with his fastball and boasts a knuckle curve that has invited comparisons to Roy Halladay and Mike Mussina. Bradley may take more time to develop into a high-end starter for the Red Sox, but could command the lowest price tag of any young pitcher they could acquire.

Veterans to take the No. 2 role

Justin Verlander - Texas Rangers v Detroit Tigers - Game Five
Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

If the Red Sox can't fetch a bona fide ace or young pitcher with ace upside, they would still need to address the No. 2 slot in their rotation, because I don't think they could (or should) count on Rick Porcello, Steven Wright, or Eduardo Rodriguez to take the reins in that spot - at least not this year.

Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers: The one thing that might hold the Sox back on a deal for the Tigers' (former?) ace is Verlander's obscene contract: he is due $28 million for each of the next three seasons as he enters his mid-30s. But Verlander has been mostly strong for the Tigers in 2016, posting a 2.70 ERA in every start excluding two in which he allowed 7 earned runs. He still has some strong performances in him, and his pedigree and postseason experience would be most welcome on the Red Sox staff.

Francisco Liriano, Pittsburgh Pirates: The 32-year-old southpaw still hits the low-90s with his fastball and misses bats with his excellent slider. The Pirates have two top pitching prospects coming up this season, which could potentially make Liriano expendable.

Jeremy Hellickson, Philadelphia Phillies: After struggling for the past three years, Hellickson is enjoying his best season in years with Philadelphia. Like Verlander, Hellickson's 3.80 ERA has been marred by a couple of bad outings and has mostly been a solid starter at the top of the Phillies staff. He may lack the upside of other starters, but could easily take the No. 2 role if added to the Red Sox rotation.

Join the conversation!

Who would you like to see the Red Sox swing a big trade to get? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.