The Boston Red Sox made a lot of moves this offseason that fans should be excited about. But fans can't be too excited because Boston has already been roughed up with injuries.
Boston's starting pitching rotation will be without Lucas Giolito, Brayan Bello, and Kutter Crawford to begin the season as each pitcher is fighting an injury. Many expect the Red Sox to turn to the trade market in order to land a replacement for their injured starters.
Bleacher Report's Zachary Rymer recently pitched a hypothetical trade that would send Cleveland Guardians pitcher Triston McKenzie to the Red Sox in exchange for struggling infielder Vaughn Grissom.
Here's the full deal pitched by Rymer:
- Boston Red Sox receive: RHP Triston McKenzie
- Cleveland Guardians receive: 2B Vaughn Grissom
"Alas, poor Grissom. He arrived in Boston hoping to justify the Chris Sale trade, and he's instead gone from struggling in 2024 to sidelined in 2025," Rymer wrote. "Not that the Red Sox necessarily mind right now, of course. Grissom's flop this spring opened the door at second base for Kristian Campbell, who will start the season as a contender for the AL Rookie of the Year.
"What the Red Sox need in the meantime is more pitching. Lucas Giolito, Brayan Bello, and Kutter Crawford are opening the year on the IL, a rather rough introduction for a rotation that is high on upside and low on durability."
This deal would make a lot of sense for both teams.
The Guardians have a lot of pitching and could deal away McKenzie to add some infield depth. While Travis Bazzana will be up to the big leagues in the next year or two, Cleveland could still afford to add a potential starter like Grissom.
For the Red Sox, Grissom will likely never see regular playing time with the depth that Boston has in the infield. McKenzie, though not a star, would provide some much-needed depth to Boston's injury-riddled starting rotation.
