The Red Sox may be rolling along with one of baseball’s best pitching staffs, but they’re still checking the market for help.
That was the takeaway from MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo, who reported that Boston was among the teams that showed interest in former All-Star Nestor Cortes before he signed with the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday.
"Per sources, ex-Yankee Nestor Cortes is in talks with the Phillies on a free agent deal," Cotillo wrote. "Red Sox were involved some as Cortes has been working out for teams. He had arm surgery last fall."
Cortes ended up with Philadelphia soon after Cotillo’s note, according to Robert Murray of FanSided.
At first blush, it might seem odd that Boston would be hunting for arms when the rotation and bullpen have both been strengths. The Red Sox have the best bullpen in baseball, and that group could get even stronger later in the year with Garrett Crochet and Tanner Houck both working their way back. The rotation has been strong, too.
But the interest in Cortes points to a simple truth: there are still some durability questions here.
Jake Bennett has been a revelation, but he’s also a 25-year-old rookie who has already reached a new career high in innings. His professional debut came in 2023, when he threw 63 innings in the minors in the Washington Nationals’ system.
He didn’t pitch in 2024, then came back in 2025 and logged 75 1/3 innings. This year, he’s already at 120 innings across the majors and minors, and that’s something to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.
Patrick Sandoval is in a similar spot. He has thrown 34 innings in the majors this season after missing the entire 2025 campaign, and he only logged 79 2/3 innings in 2024. He’s also dealing with a blister on his foot.
Ranger Suárez and Sonny Gray are set. Payton Tolle has been excellent, but as a rookie his workload is worth monitoring as well, though not quite to the same degree as Bennett because he did see big league action last year. Brayan Bello has also been excellent when used behind an opener and should have a major role down the stretch, but the question remains whether that’s how he’ll be deployed every time.
So while Boston’s rotation has been a strength, it isn’t without its concerns.
There are other veteran names out there, but the list isn’t long. Former All-Star Lance McCullers Jr. is an intriguing gamble after being released by the Milwaukee Brewers, especially since he’s healthy and only 32. If the Red Sox are going to make a move right now, McCullers looks like the veteran worth considering.
Miles Mikolas is another available veteran, but Boston should pass. The 37-year-old posted a 5.82 ERA in 25 appearances with the Nationals this season.
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