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MLB Trade Deadline: 5 best spots for Carlos Gonzalez

By Nathaniel Reeves

Jun 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) tosses his batting helmet after striking out in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Dodgers won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) tosses his batting helmet after striking out in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Dodgers won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 5, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski speaks on the phone prior to a game against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 5, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski speaks on the phone prior to a game against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Boston Red Sox

Red Sox President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski has not shied away from trading prospects to improve in the short-term, and Boston has a loaded farm system to deal from this summer.

Boston is currently two games out of the AL East lead at 49-38, and is in a better position to add at the trade deadline than either the Baltimore Orioles or Toronto Blue Jays. While the pitching staff is far and away the biggest weakness on the roster, the Red Sox could also benefit from buying another bat.

The only real need in the lineup at the moment is left field, so Gonzalez would fit. Brock Holt is better suited as a utilityman than everyday player, while Chris Young is only useful against lefties and is currently dealing with a hamstring problem.

Boston’s biggest question at the deadline will be if it is ready to give the left field job to 22-year-old Andrew Benintendi, who is currently raking in Double-A. While Benintendi has all the makings of the terrific player and appears MLB-ready, Dombrowski has gone with proven veterans over prospects often in the past.

There’s also the matter of Gonzalez blocking Benintendi for 2017, so Boston isn’t the best fit, but the Red Sox will certainly find a way for things to work out if the move helps a deep playoff run. Even with Benintendi and Yoan Moncada off-limits, Colorado could get a nice bundle of prospects from one of the top farm systems in baseball.

Next: 3. Chicago White Sox

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