The Red Sox’s front office isn’t blind; they know what’s unfolding. While their offense is humming and the bullpen is holding up, the rotation has become a wobbly leg on an otherwise sturdy chair. That imbalance worsened when a promising rookie went down, and not with just any injury, a torn ACL that ended his season mid-play. It’s gutted Boston’s depth and sparked a quiet but urgent search for answers; and that’s when a name from the AL West started picking up steam.

As per insider @bradfo, Boston has been “asking around” about an intriguing arm — a 25-year-old flamethrower with swing-and-miss stuff and upside that fits their win-now mode. The pitcher in question has 98 strikeouts over 113 innings, a 3.90 ERA, and the kind of bulldog mentality that fits well at Fenway. The pitcher? José Soriano, who’s turning heads as one of the more attainable trade chips this deadline. The Angels, reportedly open to offers, are quietly fielding calls, and Boston’s near the top of the list.

But before we get too deep into why the Red Sox want Soriano, let’s talk about who might be in trouble if they land him.

The uncomfortable reality? It’s a high-priced, low-output veteran who once dominated October but now can’t string together five clean innings. Walker Buehler, the Red Sox‘s $21.5 million reclamation project, is clinging to his rotation spot despite a 6.12 ERA through 16 starts. And let’s be real — this is not a case of bad luck. His velocity has dipped, his command is spotty, and his confidence seems shaken. That’s exactly why the Dodgers let him walk — and Boston’s gamble isn’t paying off.

As one scout put it to Foul Territory: “Some teams think it’s a possibility the A’s will entertain offers for Mason Miller,” said @JimBowdenGM, using Miller’s name — but it echoes the same vibe around Soriano: young, controllable, and potentially game-changing.

The timing couldn’t be clearer. Boston’s looking to add just as Buehler is giving them every reason to subtract. They’re not waiting for hope to turn into heartbreak — not this late in the race.

Even more importantly, Soriano isn’t just a plug-in. He’s a potential stabilizer. His career ERA of 3.66 over 80 games shows consistency, and while his WHIP is a touch high at 1.45, his swing-and-miss stuff offers what Buehler’s no longer providing: the ability to shut down momentum before it starts.

The Red Sox know what they’re doing here. This isn’t panic — it’s preparation. Soriano represents control, youth, and a shot at balancing the rotation before it topples. And Buehler? Unless things turn fast, he may be pitching himself off the roster while the team looks ahead.

While the search for a long-term answer like José Soriano represents Boston’s aggressive push to stay relevant, not all rotation solutions may come with youth or upside. Sometimes, stability comes from experience — and that’s exactly what Boston might be forced to settle for.

Veteran plan B emerges as the Red Sox weigh Morton’s late-season value

The Red Sox’s options on the trade market might be more limited than they hoped. With premium arms like Soriano or other younger talents possibly out of reach due to bidding wars or high prospect costs, Boston is reportedly eyeing a more affordable and veteran alternative — 41-year-old Charlie Morton of the Orioles. As per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Charlie Morton could become a viable short-term addition given his recent turnaround. After a disastrous 10.89 ERA in his first five outings, the right-hander has rebounded with a 3.05 ERA over his last 59 innings, showing there’s still life in his arm.

What makes Morton a logical fallback is his deep postseason experience and connection to Red Sox manager Alex Cora, dating back to their shared time on the 2017 Astros. While Morton doesn’t fit the mold of a future cornerstone, he could serve as the kind of back-end stabilizer Boston needs if the Soriano pursuit falls through. With Bryan Bello and Lucas Giolito thriving, the pressure isn’t on for a frontline ace — just a dependable veteran who won’t unravel every fifth day. Sure, fans may crave flashier names, but as Rosenthal points out, this market is thin, and Morton might be exactly what Boston can realistically get.

The Red Sox are at a defining point in their season — riding momentum, but juggling rotation uncertainty. Whether they strike gold with a rising talent like Soriano or lean on a grizzled vet like Morton, a move seems inevitable. Boston fans should buckle up — this trade deadline could change everything.

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