The Boston Red Sox have been a pleasant surprise in 2024, exceeding many expectations. They are actively competing in the American League Wild Card race, thanks to a strong 15-10 record in June. With July now underway, the team faces a busy month with the All-Star break and the trade deadline on the 30th. If they perform well before the break, the Red Sox might become buyers, as they could secure a playoff spot. This week, they have a series against the Miami Marlins, followed by games against the New York Yankees, the Oakland A’s, and the Kansas City Royals.
Last month, the Red Sox were rumored to be looking for a starting pitcher and a shortstop. However, the shortstop need may have diminished due to the performances of David Hamilton and Ceddanne Rafaela. Rafaela moving to shortstop helps manage the crowded outfield, allowing Wilyer Abreu and Tyler O’Neill to stay in the lineup, while Jarren Duran remains a constant presence. This leaves adding a pitcher as a priority, and they have been linked to Jack Flaherty in Detroit. The Red Sox showed interest in Flaherty during the offseason, but he signed with the Tigers, where he has performed well.
RHP – Jack Flaherty
Flaherty is in his eighth season, having played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles, and Detroit Tigers. During his first seven seasons in St. Louis, he compiled a 41-31 record over 122 appearances (118 starts) with a 3.58 ERA, a 3.97 FIP, a 1.19 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9, and 10.0 K/9 across 633 innings. Traded to Baltimore at last season’s deadline, he struggled, making seven starts before being moved to the bullpen, where he made two more appearances. His combined stats for Baltimore were 1-3 with a 6.75 ERA, a 4.84 FIP, a 1.67 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9, and 10.9 K/9 in 34.2 innings.
This season with Detroit, he has made 15 starts, posting a 5-5 record with a 3.24 ERA, a 3.05 FIP, a 1.00 WHIP, 1.4 BB/9, and 11.6 K/9 over 89 innings. Flaherty finished fifth in Rookie of the Year voting in 2018, and in 2019, he placed fourth in Cy Young voting and 13th in MVP voting.
Wrap Up:
Acquiring Jack Flaherty from the Tigers could be a smart move. Adding him to a rotation with Nick Pivetta, Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, and Kutter Crawford would strengthen your pitching staff. Implementing a six-man rotation would provide extra rest for the starters, potentially reducing injury risks and keeping everyone fresh for the postseason push. Flaherty’s ability to pitch deep into games would also help conserve the bullpen’s workload, which is crucial during a busy stretch of the season. Given his success in 2024, he seems like a valuable addition that could enhance the team’s overall performance and playoff chances.
