Red Sox Selling? Why Latest $38.5 Million Trade Buzz Makes No Sense
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The Boston Red Sox are on the borderline of contending and rebuilding this season. Before the All-Star break, the Red Sox were one of the hottest teams in baseball, which indicates they'll be buyers.
But if they stumble out of the break, there's a chance the front office decides to impulsively sell. It's seemingly a coin flip at this point.
Brian Burrows of Bo Sox Injection recently suggested the Red Sox should trade starting pitcher Lucas Giolito in the coming weeks.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 18: Lucas Giolito #54 of the Boston Red Sox reacts as he is removed from the game by manager Alex Cora #13 during the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at...
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 18: Lucas Giolito #54 of the Boston Red Sox reacts as he is removed from the game by manager Alex Cora #13 during the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on July 18, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. More"After a 13-month delay to his Red Sox tenure, Giolito had a rocky return to the mound. After four rough starts where he had an ERA over 7.00, he has settled into the rotation, and in the seven starts following, he has a 2.35 ERA," Burrows wrote. "He's looking more like the Giolito from 2019, where he finished sixth in the AL Cy Young voting.
"He's making $19 million in 2025, but his team option at $14 million for 2026 could make him a hot commodity. A contender would gladly take on his contract this season if they could have this version of him for $5 million cheaper next season."
Trading Giolito doesn't make much sense at all for the Red Sox.
Not counting Friday's rough start against the Chicago Cubs, the righty has been tremendous for the Red Sox as of late. He's been a crucial piece that's keeping them in the postseason race.
The Red Sox will likely be in the market for an additional starting pitcher or two ahead of the trade deadline. Their rotation has struggled as a whole, but Giolito has been a bright spot.
It's very unlikely the Red Sox will sell at all, let alone at a position of need. It's more likely the Red Sox will land a starter in a trade than it is they'll trade Giolito away.
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