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Red Sox Trade Idea Grabs Japanese Star from American League East Rival

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jon Conahan | Last updated May 27, 2025 3:01 PM ET

The Boston Red Sox have been derailed by injuries, and it doesn't look like it'll change anytime in the near future.

It's tough to say what the team should do at the deadline, but if the Red Sox want to be the team they envisioned entering the season, it might require them to make another move.

Sitting at 27-29 and seven games out of first place in the loaded American League East, the Red Sox need to get a move on. They're already in fourth place, a very concerning sign.

Sitting one spot behind them in last place in the American League East is the Baltimore Orioles, a team that's been one of the worst in Major League Baseball to start the season. They're currently 19-34 and, barring anything drastic happening, they’re expected to sell at the deadline.

Jim Riley of Ball Cap Sports predicted that the Red Sox could be interested in one of their starters in the form of Tomoyuki Sugano, a right-hander who came over from Japan during the offseason.

When considering a potential deal for Sugano, Nick Radosevich of The Sporting News noted that the Red Sox might be a suitor for his services, given they have the eighth-worst starting pitching ERA in baseball.

“The Red Sox might also be a suitor for Sugano’s efforts. The Red Sox have the eighth worst starting pitching ERA in Major League Baseball, and despite Garrett Crochet having a great year, the rotation lacks stability right now. Boston could have a better chance of a postseason berth if they pursued Sugano,” he wrote.

As he touched on, outside of Garrett Crochet, the Red Sox haven't gotten much on the mound.

Adding a starter with a 3.07 ERA would be a step in the right direction, so the Red Sox need to hope that the Orioles would be willing to trade him to Boston.

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

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