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MLB trade rumors: 5 moves Red Sox should make

By Joshua Sadlock

May 7, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (41) pitches to the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (41) pitches to the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 12, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals base runner Lorenzo Cain (6) rounds third and scores a run on an RBI double from teammate Eric Hosmer (not pictured) against the Baltimore Orioles during the eighth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals base runner Lorenzo Cain (6) rounds third and scores a run on an RBI double from teammate Eric Hosmer (not pictured) against the Baltimore Orioles during the eighth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Trade for Lorenzo Cain

Jackie Bradley is now in his fifth MLB season, and it is still impossible to determine what type of big leaguer he will be. Bradley has flashed all five tools at times, but still sports a .234/.312/.403 career line and a dismal .182/.238/.299 line this season with only four extra-base hits. The Red Sox have never given up on Bradley, giving him every opportunity to prove himself. It may be time to seriously wonder whether or not Bradley is more of a fourth outfielder than a full-time starter.

Bradley made the All-Star Game last year after batting .296/.378/.548 in the first half with 14 home runs and 55 RBI. He seemed to have put it all together after figuring it out in August of 2015, a month where he batted .354 with five home runs and 23 RBI. The roller coaster trend has continued for Bradley, however. He batted .216 in September of 2015, and .233 in the second half of 2016. Bradely’s career line of .243/.320/.375 against lefties does not indicate that he can be an everyday starter.

The Red Sox obviously love Bradley’s overall game — speed, defense, and power — but he is killing them this season. Boston can do better than splitting his playing time with Chris Young in a platoon. They should turn their eyes to a trade for Kansas City’s Lorenzo Cain, a free agent at the end of the year. The Royals may hold off on selling a bit longer after their weekend sweep of the Orioles, but this looks like a team destined to be sellers at the deadline.

Cain would be a phenomenal fit for the Red Sox, and a player they could focus on re-signing to be the long-term answer in left or center field. He has already proven himself as a five-tool MLB star, while Bradley continues struggling to find his footing.

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