The Boston Red Sox's starting rotation has experienced quite a bit of turnover in recent weeks. They added Dustin May into the mix after the trade deadline, but much of the chaos has come from the team's surprise decision to release Walker Buehler.
May made five starts for the Red Sox in August, to the tune of a 5.68 ERA in 25.1 innings, before the team moved him to the bullpen. Buehler was also demoted from the Sox's rotation due to his yearlong struggles (5.40 ERA in 110 innings), but he only made one appearance before his release.
Buehler's departure and May's demotion to the bullpen have created an open spot in the rotation, which was temporarily held by Richard Fitts and Payton Tolle, but Fitts has returned to the injured list with a bicep strain and Tolle won't start to take a rest. Had the Red Sox gone a different direction at the trade deadline, they might have a more stable rotation now.
The Sox were in contact with the Arizona Diamondbacks on trade deadline day to potentially acquire either Merrill Kelly or Zac Gallen, their impending free agent starters. Boston was out-bid for Kelly by the Texas Rangers and it never landed Gallen because of his asking price, according to Tim Healey and Alex Speier of The Boston Globe (subscription required).
Red Sox's rotation woes make their release of Walker Buehler seem hasty
The Diamondbacks put on a fire sale when they fell out of playoff contention in the National League West, but still wouldn't budge on their asking prices for Kelly and Gallen, which they felt should outweigh the potential compensation picks they would receive if they extended either player the qualifying offer and they departed in free agency. Healey and Speier report that the Red Sox were willing to trade 2024 Draft pick and top pitching prospect Brandon Clarke, but pulled out of a potential deal when Arizona asked for top pitching prospect Connelly Early, who is now in the mix to start in the big leagues on September 10.
Gallen has been solid in the Snakes' rotation since they chose to hold onto him after the deadline. He posted a 2.57 ERA over six starts in August, his final one of the month and his first in September have been scoreless.
May's struggles and Boston's injuries have made its release of Buehler seem quite hasty. Buehler's 5.45 ERA is not the outcome the Red Sox wanted from an eight year veteran and two-time Cy Young Award vote recipient, but he was trending up in his second-half appearances. Buehler posted a 3.93 ERA (with a staggering 20 walks to 21 strikeouts, however) in his final seven outings with the Red Sox.
Gallen would've been the ideal rotation option given his recent success, but Arizona's asking price was excessive after the first half he clocked. Buehler didn't perform his best this season, but his years of playoff experience could've bought him a few more appearances out of the bullpen, and an emergency spot in the rotation.