Fansided

MLB Trade Deadline: Which teams are buyers?

By Nathaniel Reeves

Sep 24, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski (left) introduces Mike Hazen (right) as the team
Sep 24, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski (left) introduces Mike Hazen (right) as the team /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
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 /

With a contending roster, loaded farm system and Dave Dombrowski running the show, the Red Sox are primed to be the most aggressive buyer in the Majors and should have an exciting trade deadline.

Boston has already been busy, adding third baseman Aaron Hill and reliever Brad Ziegler over the past couple of weeks. Both of those moves will be helpful, but the Red Sox will now turn their attention to some bigger names.

Most importantly, the Red Sox need another front-line pitcher to slide in behind David Price, who has been shaky himself in 2016. Boston is really searching for answers behind Price, knuckleballer Steven Wright and Rick Porcello, and doesn’t figure to make a run to the postseason without acquiring at least one more starter.

The best starting pitcher available could end up being Sonny Gray, and Boston has enough young talent to put together an attractive package while keeping top prospects Andrew Benintendi and Yoan Moncada. If Gray isn’t on the market, Dombrowski will turn his full attention to Teheran.

Boston could be okay in the bullpen if Craig Kimbrel’s knee rehab goes well, but asking for a reliever like Ryan Madson or Arodys Vizcaino from the aforementioned trade partners could add useful depth. The Red Sox may also look for a left fielder if they don’t think Benintendi is MLB-ready yet.

If a shocking trade does go down – perhaps a Zack Greinke deal – the Red Sox would be one of the most likely teams to orchestrate it. Expect Boston to add the pieces to separate itself in the AL East prior to the deadline.

For more MLB Trade Deadline coverage, check out our baseball hub page.  

Home/Boston Red Sox