The Boston Red Sox are doubling down on pitching this offseason, and they’re not showing any signs of slowing down.
On Friday, they made another move to bolster their pipeline, trading right-handed pitcher Chase Shugart to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for a 2024 13th-round draft pick, Matt McShane.
The Red Sox Pitching Focus This Offseason
It’s another calculated step in a winter strategy heavily focused on pitching depth, and this trade fits right into that narrative.
Chase Shugart, who spent seven years grinding it out in the minors before finally getting a shot with the Red Sox this past season, didn’t leave a lasting impression during his brief stint in Boston.
Over six appearances, he gave up four runs in 8 2/3 innings pitched. While the numbers weren’t disastrous, the writing on the wall was clear: Shugart wasn’t in the team’s long-term plans, especially with Boston aggressively reshaping its roster.
Who Is Matt McShane? Boston’s Latest Prospect
The Red Sox flipped him for a young arm with upside rather than risk losing him for nothing through waivers. Enter Matt McShane, a 22-year-old pitcher out of St. Joseph’s University. McShane’s college numbers are solid—13-2 with a 3.76 ERA over three years—and his arsenal shows promise.
His fastball sits in the low-to-mid 90s, complemented by a slider, curveball, and change-up, making him an intriguing project for Boston’s player development staff.
While a 13th-round draft pick may not sound like much, the Red Sox are banking on their ability to mold McShane into something more. After all, when pitching prospects, sometimes it’s all about identifying raw talent and refining it in the minors.
A Pattern Emerges: Another Trade with Pittsburgh
This move marks the second time this offseason that Boston has sent a recently designated-for-assignment player to Pittsburgh for a draft pick. They traded Enmanuel Valdez—who started for Boston on Opening Day in 2024—for another late-round pick, Joe Vogatsky.
It’s a strategy that suggests Boston wants to turn expendable pieces into potential diamonds in the rough. For Shugart, the trade could mean a fresh start and a better chance to carve out a role at the big-league level with the Pirates.
It’s another opportunity for the Red Sox to stockpile pitching talent and invest in their farm system. Go Sox!