DONE DEAL: The Red Sox are acquiring right-handed pitcher in a $90 Million trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN…

The Boston Red Sox are reportedly acquiring right-handed pitcher Naoyuki Uwasawa in a $90 Million trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN…

Uwasawa now joins a Red Sox squad that has been severely lacking in pitching during the winter, particularly since their one major acquisition, Lucas Giolito, was forced to miss the entire campaign due to an elbow ailment. The Red Sox are taking a small chance by adding this option to their rotation.

Uwasawa is a seasoned pitcher who spent nine years competing in Japan before deciding to give MLB pitching a go this year. In the previous three seasons, Uwasawa pitched to ERAs under three, showing some success in Japan.

Following Lucas Giolito’s injury, Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta, Kutter Crawford, and Garrett Whitlock made up the Red Sox rotation. Although there are doubts about whether these pitchers are talented enough to be regular starters or if they would be better suited in the bullpen, their ability is not inherently inadequate.

One of the young guys the Red Sox are counting on to be a mainstay in the future is Brayan Bello. In 2022, he made his MLB debut, and in 2023, he pitched in his first complete season.

Bello still needs to put it all together to be a starting pitcher in the major leagues, despite his glimpses throughout those two seasons. He continues to advanced data on Pivetta are higher than those of the majority of admirers. Stuff+ by Eno Sarris is one such.

During spring training, Nick Pivetta got the highest Stuff+ rating at 140, which is 40% higher than the league average of 100. Similar statistics were displayed on Pivetta in 2023. Perhaps his prospects in 2024 will be better than his admirers anticipate.