Red Sox insider reveals reasoning team didn't pursue All-Star pitcher at deadline, instead opting for Dustin May
Red Sox insider reveals reasoning team didn't pursue All-Star pitcher at deadline, instead opting for Dustin May originally appeared on The Sporting News
The Boston Red Sox didn’t do much at the trade deadline, only acquiring reliever Steven Matz, and starter Dustin May, who they got after they couldn’t get starter Joe Ryan from the Minnesota Twins.
Apparently, however, the Sox did go for another All-Star pitcher; Arizona Diamondback starter Zac Gallen. According to Boston Globe’s Tim Healey and Alex Speier, they were making good progress too, until the DBacks asked for one thing too many.
The Sox, like every contender, checked in with the Diamondbacks about right-handed starters and free-agents-to-be Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen,” Healey and Speier wrote. “The Diamondbacks made clear that to trade either pitcher, they’d need more return value than the compensation pick they’d receive at the back of the first round of next year’s draft by retaining the players, making them a qualifying offer, and potentially having them leave as free agents. The Sox expressed a willingness to deal lefthander Brandon Clarke as the anchor of a package, but balked when the Diamondbacks sought lefthander Connelly Early (now in Triple A).”
Since the deadline, Gallen is a 2.20 ERA pitcher with a record of 4-1 over seven starts and 41 innings pitched. May on the other hand has been less than mediocre, posting a 5.40 ERA over five starts and has a record of 1-4.
Early is the No. 6 overall prospect in the Sox’ farm and their No. 3 overall lefty pitcher. Early has been doing great in AAA, so the Sox may be thinking of calling him up soon. Hopefully they do, as they need all the help they can get at the moment as they push towards the playoffs.
Red Sox’ Aroldis Chapman on 3rd-longest streak of hitless domination since 1901
Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman has been unstoppable on the mound against the Diamondbacks. His dominance is giving the Red Sox a crucial edge as the postseason race heats up. Aroldis Chapman’s hitless streak has now reached 17 straight appearances without allowing a hit. This marks one of the most remarkable pitching runs in recent MLB history.
Chapman’s hitless streak has also stretched to 14⅔ innings, dating back to July 26, and it now ranks as the third-longest since 1901. Only Randy Choate’s 20 straight appearances in 2011 and Tim Byrdak’s 18 consecutive outings in 2012 stand ahead of him.
As a result, Aroldis Chapman’s resurgence has been vital for the Red Sox bullpen. His command and velocity have returned to elite form, and his presence has transformed the dynamic of late-inning situations. Because of this, Boston can now rely on him to shut down opposing lineups when it matters most. Against teams like the Diamondbacks and other playoff contenders, his consistency has given the Red Sox the upper hand in tight games.
Furthermore, this run highlights Chapman’s ability to adapt. Known throughout his career for overpowering hitters, he has now added sharper pitch sequencing and better movement to his arsenal. Consequently, hitters are struggling to pick up his slider after seeing a triple-digit fastball, creating a nearly unhittable combination. With each outing, his confidence grows, and so does the team’s trust in him to deliver in critical spots.
Ultimately, the Red Sox remain locked in a fierce battle for postseason positioning, and Chapman’s dominance has provided a much-needed boost. If he maintains this pace, his historic run could play a pivotal role in Boston’s playoff push. For now, every appearance by Chapman feels like must-watch baseball. The only question left: how long can Aroldis Chapman keep this hitless streak alive and cement his place in MLB history?
And more importantly, can the Red Sox ride his dominance all the way into the postseason?
