Fansided

MLB Trade Deadline: 5 players that could shape the trade market

By Kyle Franzoni

facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Jun 12, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Brock Holt (26) scores on Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) (not pictured) double during the first inning of the game at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 12, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Brock Holt (26) scores on Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) (not pictured) double during the first inning of the game at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

Brock Holt

  • Team: Boston Red Sox
  • Position: Utility-man
  • 2015 Stats: .318/.407/.486, 2 HR, 18 RBI

Alright, I’ll admit that the Red Sox moving Brock Holt is very unlikely. The Red Sox picked up Holt as a throw-in on the deal that brought Joel Hanrahan to Boston and he’s been a steal over the last two seasons. Still not eligible for salary arbitration until 2017, Holt may be one of the biggest bargains in baseball, with Fangraphs having him worth an astrounding $18.4 million already in 2015.

However, the same reason that makes him an unlikely trade candidate could also make him a very popular demand for teams this summer. Think Zobrist and his ability to play anywhere, but with team control and a modest salary, and the Red Sox could be enticed to part with a player that has forced his playing time.

Holt has seen action at third base (15 games), short (8), second (9), first (4), left field (11), and center (2) already in 2015 and has done so while slashing a ridiculously solid .318/.408/.486. This is on top of playing all over the diamond in 2014 and hitting .281/.331/.381 over 102 games last season.

Making Holt available to the highest bidder may be the best way to maximize value and supplement the farm system a bit more. Of course, the Red Sox would be better served in moving some high-priced veterans, but they aren’t likely to extract as much value in what would essentially be a salary dump for reset purposes. In Holt, they may even be able to package him (and not Mookie Betts) in a deal to land someone like a Hamels, that could help cement the rotation for years to come.

Of course, that’s still a big “if” in terms of whether or not they would move one of the few shining spots on the 2015 dumpster fire.

Next: 5 teams that could shape the MLB trade deadline

More from Boston Red Sox

Home/Boston Red Sox