MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: 5 trades Red Sox should make
The Red Sox missed out on Todd Frazier and David Robertson, but could still strike a deal for third base and bullpen help before the MLB trade deadline.
Despite being the perfect match on paper, the Boston Red Sox were unable to make a trade for White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier.
Fewer than two weeks from the MLB trade deadline, the 53-42 Red Sox hold a slim two-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays and a 3.5-game margin over the New York Yankees in the AL East. Despite ranking last in the big leagues in Wins Above Replacement by third basemen (-0.7 fWAR) for most of the season, Boston wasn’t willing to meet Chicago’s asking price for the 31-year-old slugger.
Instead, the Yankees swooped in to acquire Frazier, whose 16 home runs this season (and 75 combined over the two previous years) gives New York a much needed power bat at the hot corner. Heading into Wednesday’s series finale with the Twins, the Yankees were tied with the Marlins for the fewest home runs by a third baseman this year – six – one fewer than the Red Sox.
The Yankees also picked up two terrific relief pitchers, again sticking it to the Red Sox since Boston is also in the market for bullpen help. Former White Sox closer David Robertson will set up Aroldis Chapman instead of Craig Kimbrel during the pennant chase, and Tommy Kahnle will give New York a boost in the middle innings after two terrific years on the South Side of Chicago.
What will the Red Sox do after missing out on Frazier, Robertson and Kahnle? We explore five trades Boston could make before the MLB trade deadline.
5. Trade for Brad Hand
He may not be a household name yet, but Brad Hand is one of the most talked about pitchers on the trade market this season. A former starter with the Marlins, Hand has evolved into a dependable left-handed reliever for the Padres, even drawing (slightly too aggressive) comparisons to Andrew Miller for his ability to miss bats while working in a variety of roles.
Since San Diego selected Hand off waivers from the Marlins (yep, Miami just let him walk out the door), the 27-year-old has posted a 2.69 ERA and 2.95 FIP in 137.1 innings spread across 125 appearances. Hand has 172 strikeouts over that span, including 111 in a major league high 82 games last season, and has allowed just 97 hits and 49 walks, giving him an outstanding 1.063 WHIP.
An All-Star this season, Hand has been unhittable at times. Whether pitching in the seventh, eighth, or ninth inning, the lefty has posted a 2.25 ERA, 2.74 FIP and 0.979 WHIP with 61 strikeouts in 48 innings across 43 appearances. He has also saved two games.
A seven-year MLB veteran that won’t be eligible for free agency, Hand would be a great addition to any big league bullpen. The Red Sox, Rays, Nationals and Astros have all been rumored to be interested, and he would fit right in with any of them in practically any role – lefty specialist, seventh-inning man, setup man, or backup closer.
Hand is one of several Padres pitchers that could be on the move in July. Starters Trevor Cahill, Clayton Richard or Jhoulys Chacin could join Hand in a new organization any day now. The Red Sox could use one of the three as rotation depth, a swingman, or out of the bullpen during the second half.