MLB Trade Deadline 2017: 5 best spots for Matt Carpenter
By John Buhler
Boston Red Sox
AL, East
Who likes shaving any way? If Carpenter is going to go to a contender in the AL East, why wouldn’t it be the New York Yankees’ biggest rival in the Boston Red Sox? They have a massive need at third base because of that whole Pablo Sandoval thing.
Carpenter would be asked to play second base or first base because Dustin Pedroia and Mitch Moreland have that covered. With the way that Carpenter sprays the ball around the diamond, he seems like a crafty hitter that would make the most of playing at Fenway Park.
Of course, Carpenter won’t come to the Red Sox easy, as the Cardinals will want a good haul in exchange for their Mr. Everything in the infield. Fortunately, Boston looks to be one of those contending teams that not only has a need to fill at third, but the farm system in place to orchestrate a blockbuster deal.
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For as good as Carpenter has been for the Cardinals for years, a change of scenery may not be a bad thing for him in the second half of his big league career. He’ll have a better shot at winning a World Series in the next three years playing for the on-the-rise Red Sox than he would in an inevitable rebuilding project in St. Louis. He just feels like a guy that would thrive playing for the Red Sox.