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MLB trade rumors: 5 players the Red Sox should acquire

By Joshua Sadlock

Jun 2, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox president of baseball operation Dave Dombrowski looks on during batting practice before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Patrick McDermott-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 2, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox president of baseball operation Dave Dombrowski looks on during batting practice before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Patrick McDermott-USA TODAY Sports /
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It has not been all smooth sailing for the Boston Red Sox this year, but they can continue their march to the postseason with a key acquisition at the trade deadline.

In the first season since David Ortiz’s retirement, the Red Sox have taken a few months to find their identity. The power numbers are down across the board for every full-time player, and the starting rotation has been hampered by injuries. It was around this time last year that the Red Sox began their climb to the top of the AL East, spurred on by trades by GM Dave Dombrowski.

Dombrowski may be gearing up for another active trade deadline. He has a reputation as a deal maker who is not afraid to use prospects to get what he needs at the MLB level. So, while it may be painful to see Yoan Moncada, Anderson Espinoza, Manuel Margot, and Michael Kopech playing for different organizations, Dombrowski’s trades typically have the desire effect for the big-league club.

Needs

Third base

Led by the great Pablo Sandoval, Red Sox third basemen have batted a robust .199/.255/.318 on the year with seven home runs, only 17 walks, and 64 strikeouts. They are the only group of third basemen in the league with an OPS below .600. Sandoval, who, let it be known, is in the best shape of his life, is batting .208/.267/.354 in 29 games. He is owed $42.2 million guaranteed through the 2019 season. That is sunk money that the Red Sox may consider moving on from.

Starting pitching

Chris Sale has been phenomenal in his first season in Boston — absolutely worth the steep price paid in prospects at the Winter Meetings. Even with Sale pitching to a 2.82 ERA, the Red Sox rotation has a 4.48 ERA, which ranks 14th in baseball. Last year’s AL Cy Young winner Rick Porcello is back to his old ways and has a 4.67 record and 3-8 ERA. David Price has not looked sharp after coming back from a two-month elbow injury.

Trade Assets

Even with the all of the trades that Dombrowski has pulled off since coming to town, the Red Sox have one of the deepest farm systems in baseball. Thanks to their last-place finishes sprinkled around that 2013 World Series win, Boston has been able to stockpile high draft picks while also enjoying protected status when signing free agents with the qualifying offer. Finishing in last place is not always actually bad for a big-market team.

  • Rafael Devers, 3B
  • Sam Travis, 1B
  • Jay Groome, LHP
  • Brian Johnson, LHP

The prospects that the Red Sox can offer this year are not as strong as last year, but there is enough in the system for one major move. The trick will be avoiding having to use players from the 25-man roster to get a deal done.

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