The Milwaukee Brewers have traded right-handed pitcher Aaron Civale to the Chicago White Sox, just one day after his trade request. The 30-year-old had been moved to the bullpen in favour of rookie Jacob Misiorowski. In exchange, Milwaukee received first baseman Andrew Vaughn and some cash.
Aaron Civale has pitched 22 innings this season with a 4.91 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. Since returning from a hamstring injury in May, he has improved his ERA to 3.32 over his last three appearances. His career ERA stands at 4.00 with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3.37, showing he's often reliable even if not dominant. With free agency coming this winter, the move gives him a better chance to pitch regularly and prove his value again.
?The Boston Red Sox now have two veteran pitchers in similar spots. Walker Buehler has posted a 5.11 ERA in 55.2 innings this season, while Lucas Giolito holds a 5.45 ERA across 39.2 innings. Both are also 30, and both become free agents after this season. The Red Sox sit at 34 wins and 36 losses and are nine games behind in the AL East, making it more likely they turn into sellers by the deadline.
Civale＊s deal sets a benchmark. Vaughn, once a top-three draft pick, is struggling. In 48 games this year, he's batting .189 with only four home runs and a .532 OPS. That return suggests the market for underperforming rental starters may be soft.
Still, Buehler has recent playoff success, including a strong run with the Dodgers, while Giolito is a former All-Star with multiple top-10 Cy Young finishes. Their salaries are higher, as Buehler earns $21.05 million and Giolito $19.25 million, which may make teams cautious. But those resumes could help raise their trade value if interest grows near the deadline.
The Brewers came into Friday with a 37-33 record, just two and a half games out of a playoff spot. They may look to use Vaughn in a power-hitter role, given his strong pull-side power. If he finds form, it could be a win-win deal. On the other side, the White Sox might flip Civale again for more assets in July, which would impact Boston＊s strategy even more.
For now, the Red Sox will watch closely. If Civale performs well or gets traded again for a better return, Boston may adjust their own asking price for Giolito and Buehler. The road to the deadline just got more interesting.