The starting rotation has been the focus of Boston Red Sox fans this offseason. The team went into the offseason with a clear need for a #2 starter behind Garrett Crochet, with Craig Breslow admitting as much during the GM Meetings.
Then, the team went out and traded for Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo. The moves came with mixed reviews from the fanbase because neither Gray nor Ovideo was the high-profile name they had been hoping for. Gray’s advanced analytics suggest he could fill that number two spot, but Breslow was reluctant to hand him that spot in his post-trade press conference.
That reluctance came because Breslow isn’t closing the door on adding another starter this winter. MassLive’s Chris Cotillo wrote on X that, after talking with “baseball people," he puts the odds of the Red Sox acquiring another impact starter at 50/50.
With that being said, who could the Sox pivot to now? One thing about the Gray trade is that he provides a solid floor to the rotation. The 36-year-old has made 28 starts or more, with over 165 innings, each of the last three seasons. Two of those three have been 32 starts and over 180 innings. He also has a 3.64 ERA since 2021.
There is also a chance that the Oviedo trade could allow him or someone else to become available in a trade for a star player. Teams such as the Brewers and Diamondbacks have both admitted to wanting pitching, and flipping Oviedo, someone who the Sox aren't attached to, could be a way to make bigger upgrades.
The acquisition of Gray allows the Sox to try to find a higher ceiling in any subsequent trade. A player who might have some injury risk or still has potential, they are growing into. The Red Sox didn't trade any of their major league outfielders in either trade, making the move for a true No. 2 still a possibility. Here are three starters the Red Sox may still look to trade for:
3 starter trade candidates the Red Sox could pursue after the Gray and Oviedo trades
MacKenzie Gore
The Nationals ace is a hot ticket on this winter’s trade market. The lefty will pitch all of 2026 at age 27 and has two years of team control left. Gore was one of the best pitchers in the first half of 2025. He had a 3.02 ERA before the All-Star break and struck out 138 batters in 110 1/3 innings. His second half was rough, posting a 6.75 ERA in just shy of 50 innings, and he only struck out 47 batters.
The Nationals are still in the midst of their rebuild, and Gore doesn’t fit their timeline. It makes the most sense for Washington to trade him now and maximize value. With Paul Toboni running the front office, the Sox could link up with an old friend, and someone with knowledge of the system, to strike a deal. Andrew Bailey would likely be able to maximize his potential, and he and Crochet would be a fearsome duo at the front of the rotation.
Hunter Greene
While the Red have made it known they aren’t shopping Greene, the Red Sox could entice them into doing so. The 26-year-old has three years and $40 million left on his contract, plus a $21 million team option. For a team like the Reds, his almost $9 million CBT hit could be something they’d like to move off of, but Boston could easily absorb it.
If the Reds wanted to shed salary in the deal, Duran may be too expensive, but Wilyer Abreu could make a lot of sense. The Reds need outfielders, and the Sox need to clear theirs. Abreu plus prospects could get the deal across. While Greene does have injury concerns, the Sox now have plenty of high-end depth to deal with it.
Edward Cabrera
The once top prospect had his best season in 2025, pitching to a 3.53 ERA while setting a career high in starts (26) and innings (137 2/3). Headed into his age-27 season, the righty is looking to build on that, and has three years of team control remaining.
While sentiment around the league is the Marlins aren’t looking to trade him or Sandy Alcántara, the Sox might have the right mix of MLB-ready prospects to help Miami build on their 79-83 season. Cabrera also comes with major injury risks, but if he can stay healthy, he has the potential to be an ace. With a lot of control, though, he will require a major haul.