There might not be a pitcher out there that is fits the bill, but the Sox do need a front line starter. Even if Sale and Paxton come back and form a lethal one two punch for a bit, they are almost guaranteed to go on the DL at some point. Ideally you would roll into next year withI like a lot of this plan in theory. I think the injuries to Sixto Sánchez have dimmed his outlook quite a bit, so I don’t know if he’d be my target. He’s now a 40+ FV guy, the 15th-ranked in the Marlins system. He seems like a distressed asset roughly similar to Jay Groome, who I don’t want to pencil in as our fourth starter next year.
Man, it’s a fascinating alt-historical timeline to wonder how the last eight years might have gone had Cherington bid just a little bit more for Jose Abreu than he did. I’d be very happy with him at DH, but I kind of see him hanging in Chicago until he’s done.
What’s the current projection for Ronaldo Hernández? After a terrible start, he has a 151 wRC+ in his last 50 games since May 21. I like Narvaez, but I wouldn’t be shocked if we grabbed Contreras with so much money available, especially if we’ve got any QO picks from our newly departed.
Sale
Paxton
Pivetta
Whitlock
Pitcher X
That would leave Winchowski and Crawford as depth with Bello not far behind. Off the top of my head though I can't think of a true ace who would be available.