Insider Says Red Sox & Orioles Looking Like Trade Partners at Deadline

The Boston Red Sox are in the market for a starting pitcher (as well as a first baseman) as we approach the trade deadline. And while most of the talk around available starters involves the likes of Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly and Sandy Alcantara, insider Ken Rosenthal has suggested a more realistic fit for the BoSox on the trade market, and it would involve an intra-divisioinal trade with the Baltimore Orioles:

We check back in with @Ken_Rosenthal to talk about the Cubs and Red Sox plans ahead of the trade deadline pic.twitter.com/15MwUpaHPF
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 14, 2025

"The way Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito have pitched in recent weeks, maybe they don't need to aim (for a No. 2 starter). And I'll give you a name that might be interesting for them:

"Charlie Morton."

The 41-year-old veteran got off to a horrid start to the 2025 season, and there were fears that he might be done, with a 9.45 ERA through the month of April. But in his last 59 innings, he has a 3.05 ERA, and in his last seven starts it gets even better: a 4-0 mark with a 2.72 ERA and a 43:12 K/BB ratio.

Rosenthal also points out that Red Sox manager Alex Cora has a history with Morton, as he was part of their (asterisked) 2017 World Series team.

Adding Morton to the middle of the Boston rotation, behind Garrett Crochet, Giolito and maybe even Bello, would be a nice boost on the mound for them. He also has two World Series to his credit, and a 3.80 ERA across 80 playoff innings over his career.

The Red Sox are only three games back of top spot in the AL East coming out of the All-Star Break, riding a 10-game winning streak going into Thursday night, and in the 2nd Wild Card spot.

The Orioles, despite straightening themselves out somewhat after a dreadful 16-33 start (they're 27-19 since then), are still 7.5 games in the Wild Card chase, with six other teams ahead of them as well.