BoSox Injection
Fansided

Red Sox Rumors: 5 starting pitchers to target before MLB trade deadline

By Sean Penney

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 26: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants pitches during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Oracle Park on April 26, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 26: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants pitches during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Oracle Park on April 26, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
BOSTON, MA – JUNE 23: Marcus Stroman #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on June 23, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – JUNE 23: Marcus Stroman #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on June 23, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /

Marcus Stroman

Don’t let the 5-9 record fool you. Marcus Stroman is having an excellent season that earned him his first All-Star appearance.

Stroman ranks eighth among qualified American League starters with a 3.18 ERA and his 1.26 WHIP has him on pace for his best mark over the course of a full season since he was a rookie.

Last year was a disaster for Stroman as he battled through a shoulder injury and an irritating blister. Prior to that, he had consecutive seasons with 200+ innings and even picked up few Cy Young votes in 2017.

Stroman is AL East tested, having spent his entire career with the Toronto Blue Jays. He’s been solid against the New York Yankees (6-5, 4.21 ERA) and Tampa Bay Rays (5-6, 4.35 ERA). He’s been even better against the Red Sox (6-3, 3.44 ERA). Acquiring Stroman not only boosts Boston’s rotation, but it also prevents their division rivals from snatching him up to use against them.

The fiery right-hander has feuded with a few Red Sox players this year and he’s not shy about trolling his opponents on social media. His teammates seem to hold him in high regard though and his antics are far easier to put up with when he’s on your side. He’s good friends with David Price, which should help him acclimate to this clubhouse and smooth over any hard feelings.

The Jays aren’t pressured to deal Stroman now since he won’t be a free agent until after next season but he’ll get more expensive in arbitration and Toronto’s young core isn’t going to contend in 2020. The price could be steep but it may be worth it to fill a need while keeping him away from the Yankees.

Home/Red Sox Rumors