[ad_1]
The Boston Red Sox are among the teams that spot Detroit Tigers pitcher Mike Fiers as a potential target towards the MLB deadline.
If you can not beat them, have them join you. Alright, that 's not how it happens. Nevertheless, it 's the approach that the Boston Red Sox can take with right – hander Mike Fiers of Detroit Tigers.
ESPN's Olney Buster reports that the Red Sox are among the teams who spot Proud as a possible target until the trading deadline. The Red Sox among a group of teams evaluating DET's Mike Fiers as a possible business target – and they're doing it first-hand tonight. Proud opened this match with three innings without scoring; one on the fourth now
– Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 21, 2018
Boston watched closely the departure of the Tigers on Saturday. Proud held the aimless Red Sox on over 6 1/3 innings, allowing seven hits and three walks. He retired six and won
. This was not the first taste of success for Prouds against the Red Sox. He is 2-0 with a 1.99 ERA in four career appearances against Boston.
Proud comes off a season off with the Houston Astros that got off to a bad start and got worse. He finished with a 5.22 ERA and did not play in the playoffs during the Houston World Series race. However, he managed a solid eight-week stretch in the middle of the season, which gave him a glimpse of his potential. That included a start in which he held Boston in a seven-run race. The current Red Sox manager, Alex Cora, was the coach of this Astros team, so he knows what Fiers can do.
This year, Fiers had a strong rebound campaign. He has a record of 7-6 and a 3.49 ERA, becoming a valuable badet for the Tigers.
The Red Sox might be interested in adding a starter given the injuries they suffered in their rotation. It is feared that Eduardo Rodriguez 's ankle injury is severe and there is still no timetable to return. Steven Wright's status remains uncertain. Drew Pomeranz is expected to return from the injury list next week, but his struggles early in the season leave open questions about his overall effectiveness.
Even though the Red Sox can not count on these three, they have other internal options. One would be the southpaw who opposed Fiers in his last start – Brian Johnson. He pitched five innings against the Tigers, allowing only two undeserved races. His overall numbers will not impress, although this is partly because he struggled when he was pushed into the bullpen. Johnson stepped up when given a chance to start. He is 3-2 with a 3.72 ERA in his beginner career.
Boston can also turn to Hector Velazquez. He is 6-0 with a 2.61 ERA in 29 appearances this season, including three starts. He is 2-0 with a 2.63 ERA. His 4.08 FIP shows that Velazquez did not show as well as this bright ERA suggests. However, the Red Sox would be delighted to take a MPM around 4.00 from their starting number 5.
The Red Sox could get by with what they've got in the spin, but Proud would offer a more reliable upgrade . It is not a rental either. Proud will still be eligible for arbitration next year and will not reach the free agency before 2020. Trading for it now would put Proud in the mix to potentially replace Pomeranz's. he's going out as a free agent this winter.
to be the priority but the addition of a starter could kill two birds with one stone. Boston could consolidate the back of their rotation while excess starters could be used to support the enclosure. If Pomeranz or Rodriguez are struggling to get back as runners, maybe they could thrive in shorter periods out of the bullpen
We have seen the market put high for first-rate relievers with years of remaining control. If Boston's exhausted farming system can not afford this price, then a more affordable solution could improve the back of the rotation. If that is the road that they decide to borrow, Proud is a launcher to watch for.