With the Boston Red Sox holding the final Wild Card playoff spot right now, they are likely going to be buyers at the trade deadline.
Boston has a 55-49 record, and the main area of need is pitching. Though the Red Sox rank in the top ten in the league in team ERA with a 3.79, they rank in the middle of the pack in most other categories. Boston has a bona fide No. 1 ace in Garrett Crochet, but could use more high-end starters.
Bleacher Report's Zachary Rymer played trade deadline matchmaker, listing the Red Sox as the best fit to trade for the Pittsburgh Pirates' starting pitcher Mitch Keller.
"This is where the Red Sox are perfect," Rymer wrote. "They have a legitimate No. 1 in Garrett Crochet, who has solid support in Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito. But after that, there's a post-prime Walker Buehler and a veritable laundry list of injured pitchers who aren't able to slot into the No. 5 spot."
"For the rest of 2025, Keller would help stabilize Boston's rotation for a potential push into the playoffs, where he would be in the running to work as a Game 3 starter. As he is signed through 2028, he'd then give the team one less hole to fill once Buehler and possibly Giolito hit the open market this winter."
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Keller is a one-time All-Star, and despite his 4-10 record this season, has a 1.16 WHIP and his best ERA in the past five seasons, with a 3.53. The 29-year-old would likely receive a lot more run support from the Red Sox than he does from his current team, and is under contract through the 2028 season.
Boston surely would not give up any of their top prospects that have cracked the big leagues this season, but could build a package centered around Wilyer Abreu or other prospects. Bringing in Keller could make a big difference down the stretch as they eye the playoffs.
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