While it isn't great that the Los Angeles Dodgers landed Tarik Skubal for their three-peat World Series pursuit (almost guaranteeing a 2027 lockout in the process), there's a silver lining in it for the Boston Red Sox. The division-rival Tampa Bay Rays were reportedly in on Skubal, so they've had to settle for another option.
The Rays have landed Freddy Peralta in a trade with the New York Mets, first reported by Will Sammon of The Athletic. The Mets got three Tampa prospects in return, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post: Aidan Smith (Rays' No. 15 prospect), Gary Hill (no. 36) and Emilien Pitre (No. 27).
Peralta has had a down year in Queens, with a 4.99 ERA and 1.48 WHIP over 113.2 innings. He's struggled more than usual in the last few weeks to the tune of a 7.92 ERA and 1.96 WHIP across his last seven appearances.
The Red Sox could also use a right handed starter to strengthen their rotation. All but one of their starters (Sonny Gray) is left-handed and their rookies (Payton Tolle and Jake Bennett) could be approaching dangerous territory with their innings counts this season. Thankfully, the Rays left a top-notch righty starter candidate on the table for Boston.
Rays' acquisition of Freddy Peralta leaves Casey Mize available for the Red Sox
Detroit Tigers star Casey Mize could still be available before August 3. Skubal was the big target holding up the pitching market, and now that he's gone, the Tigers should shift their focus to moving Mize.
Like Skubal, Mize is a rental candidate. Luckily for Boston, the Dodgers lowered his price so much with their frankly disgraceful Skubal trade package of Zyhir Hope, MLB's No. 19 prospect, River Ryan and Brady Smith. Mize would require an even smaller package, which the Red Sox could easily achieve.
Mize has posted a 2.70 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 85 strikeouts and 19 walks over 86.2 innings this season. The 29-year-old was scratched from his July 31 start, which could suggest a trade is imminent.
It is worth noting that Mize's fastball velocity was down in his most recent outing, which could raise concerns about an injury. Besides the velo drop, Mize still pitched well on July 25, allowing one run on three hits with three strikeouts over six innings.
Mize could be an ideal buy-low rotation candidate for the Sox following the disappointing Skubal return. Boston has a fair few promising righty pitching prospects in their pipeline (Anthony Eyanson, Kyson Witherspoon, Marcus Phillips, etc.), so they don't need to commit to someone long-term at the deadline
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