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MLB Trade Deadline: 5 best under-the-radar moves

By Joshua Sadlock

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 02: Tim Beckham #1 of the Baltimore Orioles loosens up in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 2, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 02: Tim Beckham #1 of the Baltimore Orioles loosens up in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 2, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – JULY 31: Eduardo Nunez #36 of the Boston Red Sox runs for first during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park on July 31, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – JULY 31: Eduardo Nunez #36 of the Boston Red Sox runs for first during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park on July 31, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

3. Eduardo Nunez to the Red Sox

The Kansas City Royals got hot, which removed Mike Moustakas from the trade block. The New York Yankees swooped in and pulled the Todd Frazier rug right out from under the Boston Red Sox. So, what to do after putting Pablo Sandoval out of his misery and still in desperate need of a third baseman?

The Red Sox went out and made the smart move to acquire Eduardo Nunez, and it has immediately paid off. In his first six games after coming over from the San Francisco Giants, Nunez has batted .469/.500/.875 with four doubles, three home runs, 11 RBI and three stolen bases. Somehow, he has managed to outshine top prospect Rafael Devers, who has already hit three home runs since his MLB debut.

Second baseman Dustin Pedroia went on the disabled list almost immediately after Nunez was acquired. With Devers handling third base, Nunez has been able to fill in for Pedroia. Now, the Red Sox will not have to rush Pedroia back from his knee injury. When Pedroia does return, the Red Sox can play the hot hand at third base while also giving their All-Star second baseman occasional days off to keep his body fresh for the playoffs.

Nunez, along with Mookie Betts and Pedroia, gives the Red Sox the three hardest MLB hitters to strike out. He’s not a superstar, but it’s hard to argue with a .323/.350/.461 line with 25 doubles and 21 stolen bases. Turns out, not getting Moustakas or Frazier may actually have been the best thing for the Red Sox.

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