Red Sox manager explains why the team traded for Dodgers starting pitcher

Before the Boston Red Sox began their three-game series against the New York Yankees on Friday, they made a transaction, acquiring left-handed pitcher James Paxton from the Los Angeles Dodgers .

Boston desperately needed pitching help, so this move made sense to everyone.

After the trade was finalized, Red Sox manager Alex Cora explained why they made the decision.

“We know him," Cora said ( via. Alex Speier ). "Throughout the season, the fastball has been down, but not last week... It’s not that we need a lefty, but bullpen-wise, it helps.”

This addition will likely send Cooper Criswell and Josh Winckowski to the bullpen to help fill in for Justin Slaten and Chris Martin, who are both on the injured list.

Cora also said that Martin and Slaten are playing catch at this point during their rehab process.