Multiple reports say the blockbuster trade between the Red Sox, Dodgers and Twins has not been finalized because of Boston’s newfound health concerns about Twins 21-year-old pitcher Brusdar Graterol.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic says the deal could still get done, but Boston might need more from the Twins or Dodgers after learning that Graterol’s arm injury history might relegate him to a reliever role, rather than a flame-throwing starting pitcher they thought they were getting in the deal that was agreed upon Tuesday night.
“The Red Sox, after viewing the medical records of Twins right-hander Brusdar Graterol, projected him more as a reliever than as a starter, according to sources involved with the discussions. As a result of that valuation, the Sox might ask for an additional player and/or money to bridge the gap, though it is unclear whether the player would come from the Twins or Dodgers, sources said.”
The three-team mega-trade included outfielder Mookie Betts and pitcher David Price going from Boston to the Dodgers, with the Dodgers sending outfielder Alex Verdugo to the Red Sox and starting pitcher Kenta Maeda to the Twins.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that the Red Sox were “spooked by a medical review of Graterol,” although he says the chances of the dealing falling apart are “slim.”
Graterol underwent Tommy John surgery as an 18-year-old in 2016. He returned to dominate in the minors until missing more than two months last season with impingement in his right shoulder.
He returned in August and continued to pitch well in a reliever role at Triple-A Rochester, then got called up to bolster the Twins’ bullpen in September.
Graterol’s fastball topped out around 101 mph with the Twins, although he was clocked as high as 103.8 mph in a game at Double-A Pensacola last season.
