Who are the 5 players the Boston Red Sox need to target on the trade market?

MLB rumors: 5 players Red Sox needs to trade for

OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 30: Blake Treinen #39 of the Oakland Athletics pitches during the game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at the Oakland Alameda Coliseum on March 30, 2019 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Angles 4-2. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /

5 of 6

DENVER, CO – APRIL 23: Sean Doolittle #63 of the Washington Nationals pitches against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on April 23, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

2. Sean Doolittle, CP Washington Nationals

Life after Bryce Harper has been an absolute train wreck for the Washington Nationals. Struggling to even play .500 ball, the team’s season looks to be slipping away early.

If this slide continues, Mike Rizzo’s phone will be ringing constantly with other general managers inquiring about the availability of closer Sean Doolittle. He was an All-Star last season, and he has 87 saves and an ERA of .274 over the duration of his eight-year career.

As is the case with Treinen, Doolittle would give the Red Sox bullpen that much needed, reliable closer at the back end of games. Also, he is a left-handed pitcher, something that the team’s bullpen is often without.

Again, like Treinen, Doolittle gives Cora another piece to play with for this season and possibly next. Doolittle has a club option for 2020, which would result in a very team-friendly salary of $6.5 million for the 2020 season. For a closer of his caliber, that is a steal.

Washington would attach a pretty hefty price tag to Doolittle. Although, he would be worth it, especially for that salary amount to keep him under contract for next year.

It seems unlikely that the Red Sox can skate by the whole season with the current bullpen they have, so they need to address this area.

Home/Boston Red Sox