Boston Red Sox eye major trade for Royals’ ace Cole Ragans
The buzz surrounding Cole Ragans, the ace of the Kansas City Royals, has reached a fever pitch. Following a stellar performance that saw him finish fourth in the American League Cy Young voting last year, Ragans faced a setback this season with a shoulder injury that limited him to just 13 starts and resulted in a 4.67 ERA. However, his underlying metrics tell a different story: a 2.50 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) and a staggering 14.3 strikeouts per nine innings illustrate the potential that Ragans possesses when healthy.
Recent reports have indicated that the Boston Red Sox are keen on acquiring Ragans, a narrative sparked by insights from The Boston Globe. However, if Boston truly aims to secure the talented left-hander, they must brace for a steep price.
What the Red Sox should offer for Ragans
So, what would a competitive offer from the Red Sox look like? To entice Kansas City into trading Ragans, Boston may need to present a package that includes:
LHP Cole Ragans to Boston
OF Jarren Duran
LHP Connelly Early
OF Jhostynxon Garcia
RHP Juan Valera to Kansas City
While some fans might dream of including top prospect Roman Anthony in such a deal, that scenario is unlikely. The Royals have committed significant financial resources to Bobby Witt Jr., making it improbable that they would take on Anthony’s $130 million contract extension, especially given their history with nine-figure deals.
Duran is a pivotal piece in this trade scenario. He embodies the type of outfield presence the Royals desperately need. To sweeten the pot further, Boston would have to part with one of their promising rookie left-handed pitchers, and here, Connelly Early fits the bill, allowing them to retain Payton Tolle, whose potential remains sky-high.
The inclusion of Garcia adds another layer to this negotiation. While Kansas City might prefer to see prospects like Marcelo Mayer or Kristian Campbell included, the latter’s financial commitments and Mayer’s injury history could make Garcia a more appealing option. He could seamlessly step in as a platoon partner for Jac Caglianone in right field, providing immediate value.
Finally, Juan Valera represents the wildcard in the deal. At just 19 years old, he’s already shown flashes of upper-90s velocity. If he can maintain his health, he could reach the majors as early as 2027, making him an attractive asset for the Royals.
While Kansas City might ultimately reject this package, doing so would signal the immense value they see in Ragans. However, they must also consider the depth and potential solutions this trade could provide for their roster. With the Red Sox eager to explore this opportunity, the prospect of a blockbuster deal looms large on the horizon.
