Red Sox Trade Idea Acquires Reds' 3.52 ERA Starter to Bolster Rotation originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Boston Red Sox have been teetering on the line between contender and pretender for the last month. While the offense has battled inconsistencies since trading Rafael Devers, it has recently found its footing. The Red Sox have averaged over eight runs per game in the last six games, including a 15-run and 11-run performance during that stretch. As the offense begins to take shape, the pitching staff continues to be a major concern as the trade deadline nears.

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Boston’s rotation is still battling through injuries to Tanner Houck and Kutter Crawford, making their depth almost non-existent. Meanwhile, Walker Buehler’s 6.45 ERA ranks as the fourth-highest of any pitcher with over 50 innings, according to FanGraphs. Lucas Giolito’s last five starts (32.2 innings, 0.83 ERA, and 31 strikeouts) have given Boston renewed confidence in the former first-round pick. Yet, the team still lacks a good enough rotation to make noise in October, let alone get into the playoffs.

According to Alex Mayes of Sox Talk, one name worth watching is Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo.

“Lodolo, aside from being incredibly fun to say, has been a bright spot in the Reds’ starting rotation this season,” Mays wrote. “He reminds me a lot of a left-handed Lucas Giolito, and their pitch mix is fairly similar as well.”

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Lodolo currently has a 3.52 ERA with 85 strikeouts in 94.2 innings pitched. Although he would not be a top-of-the-rotation acquisition, he would replace Buehler and provide further stability behind ace Garrett Crochet. The Red may be reluctant to trade Lodolo due to only being 1.5 games out of the NL Wild Card race, but if the young team can net a large return, it should not impact their playoff aspirations.

Lodolo, with three more years until free agency, will not come cheap for Boston. However, acquiring a controllable, consistent, and higher-upside arm to anchor their rotation should make chief baseball officer Craig Breslow more willing to part ways with a few top prospects.

As the Red Sox enter into the final three weeks before the trade deadline, Breslow must decide which direction the team will take: buyers or sellers. Adding Lodolo would not only fill a necessary role this season, but also the foreseeable future.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.