Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Red Sox Trade Idea Bolsters Bullpen With Elite Reliever

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sam Bernardi | Last updated Apr 23, 2025 6:00 AM ET

The Boston Red Sox could use another reliever. Through 24 games, the Red Sox have produced an up-and-down product on the diamond but have been limited by a bullpen that ranks tied for ninth-worst in the Majors with a combined ERA of 4.47.

This is not good enough for a team with legitimate American League East (and possibly greater) aspirations this season. Aroldis Chapman has done well out of the closer role, recording a 1.93 ERA, a 2.72 FIP, and four saves through his first 11 games with Boston.

However, he is 37 years old and despite being a durable pitcher during his 16-year MLB career, adding another top-end, high-leverage reliever would catapult this bullpen from the bottom of the barrel to the upper echelon.

ESPN’s David Schoenfield mentioned Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Durán as a potential trade deadline casualty.

Red Sox receive: RHP Jhoan Durán

Twins receive: RHP Kutter Crawford, RHP David Sandlin (No. 9), RHP Hunter Dobbins (No. 14)

This may seem like a steep price for Boston to pay as Sandlin, who is still in Double-A, projects as one of the top pitchers in the farm system and could be a Major Leaguer as early as next summer.

Dobbins would be tough to sacrifice, too, as he has impressed in his two starts (2.45 ERA, 3.04 FIP) and has shot through the minor league ranks over the last three years.

Finally, Crawford has a career 4.56 ERA and 4.35 FIP in his nearly 400 MLB innings, but is looking more and more like a sunk cost for a Red Sox roster littered with starting pitchers. He also represents a ready-made Big League talent for Minnesota.

But, Durán is that good. Since entering the league in 2022, he has a 2.51 ERA, a 2.83 FIP, and utilizes one of the hardest splitter/four-seamer combinations in baseball.

The 27-year-old flamethrower is also not an unrestricted free agent until 2028, and while his arbitration value should skyrocket from its current $4.125 million figure, he would solidify the present and future of Boston’s bullpen.

In this velocity, analytics-crazed era, pairing two missile-for-arms like Chapman and Durán would instill fear in even the most dangerous lineups.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: