Red Sox Expert Calls for Team to Get Padres Star This Offseason
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Alex Cora will have two new pitchers to work with starting Tuesday.
The Boston Red Sox pushed their rivals, the New York Yankees, to the brink in the ALWS, but the team ran out of healthy pitchers. Boston lost starting pitcher Lucas Giolito right before the start of the postseason.
His injury and team outlook likely put the team in a rough position for this offseason. Tanner Houck also had to undergo Tommy John surgery in early August and will likely miss the entire season next year. The Red Sox will be forced to make some moves regarding their pitching this offseason.
How the Red Sox Can Find Their New Pitching Star
This season was a big season for the Red Sox, as it showed their potential to contend for a World Series title
There are several options Boston can turn to for their next star. The San Diego Padres have two of their more reliable and expensive pitchers, Dylan Cease and Michael King, who are about to be free agents. Like the Red Sox, the Padres lost in their respective division round of the playoffs on Wednesday.
Section 10 Podcast host Tyler Milliken talked about what pitching options the Red Sox should go for this offseason on 98.5 the day after the Red Sox were knocked out of the playoffs:
“Dylan Cease, Michael King, if you hear me right there now, I want one of you. Bring me one of them. Dylan Cease, you already went after him. They already checked with him during the offseason. They checked with him at the regular season at the trade deadline with the (Jarren) Duran packages. Yes, the ERA is in the 4’s, I understand. You look underneath the hood. The fit, the K/9; all the things they love. He’s exactly their type. I do think if you need to trade assets, you’re probably doing it for a bat or a pitcher. Just pick one of them.”
Likelihood of Dylan Cease or Michael King joining the Red Sox
Cease came into the 2025 season as one of the top two pitching options for the Padres. In 168 innings and 32 games started, Cease allowed 152 hits, 85 runs, with 21 of them being home runs, and 71 walks while delivering 215 strikeouts. He finished with one of the highest ERAs on the team (4.55), who pitched more than 43 innings this season, excluding Yu Darvish (5.38). Cease had a difficult season but had some great moments.
Cease was traded from the Chicago White Sox in mid-March of 2024. During that time, the only new contract he received from Padres‘ management was to avoid arbitration this past January for a one-year $13.75 million contract. Cease will likely move on in hopes of playing for a World Series contender and potentially get a long-term contract. The Red Sox could be right there for Cease to lock up long-term.
King might be looking to get more opportunities behind the mound next season. He might be able to accomplish this with a team outside of the Padres organization. The Padres have utilized King as a backend starting pitcher this season, starting in 15 games and
Aaron Judge Pledges $10.9 Million to Combat Homelessness in His Hometown of Linden: A Game-Changing Act of Philanthropy
By ESPN Sports Desk | October 4, 2025
In a move that transcends the sports world, New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge has made headlines not for his on-field exploits but for an extraordinary philanthropic gesture. The 2022 American League MVP and one of baseball’s most recognizable stars has announced that he will donate his entire $10.9 million in prize money and sponsorship earnings to launch a groundbreaking community initiative in his hometown of Linden, California.
A Legacy Beyond Baseball
Aaron Judge’s donation is as significant off the field as his accomplishments on it. The initiative, which is both ambitious and deeply personal, aims to provide 150 permanent homes and 300 shelter beds to homeless individuals and families in need. This act of generosity marks Judge’s commitment to giving back to the community that shaped him, turning his success into a tangible and life-changing resource for those less fortunate.
Growing up in the small farming town of Linden, a tight-knit community of under 2,000 people, Judge has never forgotten his roots. Despite becoming one of baseball’s most elite players, he remains deeply connected to the people and the town that fostered his rise. With this unprecedented donation, Judge is using his wealth not for personal gain, but to improve the lives of the most vulnerable in the community.
“I owe so much to this community,” Judge said in a statement announcing the initiative. “Linden raised me, and now I want to give back in a way that will change lives. Everyone deserves a safe place to call home, and I want to help make that a reality for people who have fallen on hard times.”
Tackling a National Crisis Locally
California has long been at the epicenter of the national homelessness crisis, home to nearly a third of the country’s homeless population. While larger cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco often dominate headlines, smaller towns like Linden are not immune to the issue. Judge’s initiative is not just about providing shelter—it’s about offering a holistic solution to homelessness. The project will include access to healthcare services, mental health counseling, and job readiness programs, creating a comprehensive support system for people to rebuild their lives.
By taking this bold step, Judge is addressing a crisis that continues to affect millions, particularly in his home state. His donation represents a paradigm shift in how professional athletes can use their platform and wealth to create long-lasting social impact.
A New Standard for Athlete Philanthropy
While many athletes contribute to charity, few have dedicated their entire earnings for an entire year to a single cause, especially during the height of their career. Judge’s decision to do so places him in a rare class of athletes whose wealth is leveraged not for personal extravagance but for large-scale societal change.
“Judge is setting a new standard for what it means to be a philanthropist in the world of sports,” said a sports analyst. “At the peak of his career, most athletes are focused on securing their financial futures. Aaron, on the other hand, is using his wealth to secure the futures of others, which speaks volumes about his character.”
Linden’s Reaction
The reaction in Linden has been overwhelmingly positive. Local officials have called Judge’s donation “transformational,” and nonprofit organizations working on homelessness have praised the initiative as a model for how athletes and celebrities can create meaningful, lasting change.
“It’s not just the money—it’s the message,” said a director from a local shelter. “When someone like Aaron Judge invests in a community, it inspires others to act. It shows that solutions are possible when people come together.”
For Judge, this initiative is about leaving a legacy—one that is measured not in home runs or batting averages but in lives changed and communities transformed. His generosity has already sparked conversations about how other public figures might follow his lead, leveraging their resources for social good.
A Ripple Effect of Hope
While Judge’s $10.9 million donation is already creating waves in his hometown of Linden, the potential ripple effect of his actions could be felt across the nation. His example shows that athletes have the power to do more than entertain; they can serve as community leaders and agents of social change. If one athlete can use their earnings to provide homes, shelter, and hope, the impact across the sports world could be staggering.
“I want Linden to be a place where people know they are cared for, where they feel they belong,” Judge said. “If this project can help even one family rebuild their lives, it will all be worth it.”
Aaron Judge’s initiative is a powerful reminder that true leadership extends beyond the playing field. It’s about using your platform to make the world a better place—one that is measured not in statistics or championships, but in the tangible good you bring to others.
