Red Sox: 5 players who should already be on the trade block

The Boston Red Sox appeared to go into the 2022 season with a few veteran names added to their youthful roster.

In fourth place in the AL East with a record of 9-14, the Boston Red Sox will need to make some roster changes if they hope to climb back into a race among one of the more loaded divisions in baseball. That could still be a lot to ask for since the club has only won three of their last ten games.

It’s a terrible start to the season.

An outbreak of Covid-19 cases combined with a couple of pitchers having to skip out on a trip to Toronto due to their decision not to be vaccinated against the virus, as is required for players entering Canada, underscored the need for the Red Sox to have more as they head deeper into the season.

With that said, it’s going to take a lot to get the Red Sox the changes that need to make a difference. It’s going to require some significant activity as we get closer to the trade deadline in July.

Let’s take a look at some of the players the Red Sox should have on the trade block going into July.

5. It might be time for the Red Sox to trade Alex Verdugo

Verdugo is on a one-year contract worth $3.55 million with the Red Sox. He’ll be arbitration-eligible in 2023 with his free agency beginning in 2025. He’s a young left fielder with two defensive runs saved so far this season.

Verdugo is hitting .238/.278/.375 with a +79 wRC. In 22 games, he’s hit three home runs, two doubles, six walks, two intentional walks, four sacrifice flies, five runs, and 13 RBI. He has a strikeout percentage of 7.8 and a 6.7 walk percentage.

A team looking for a good, young outfielder who is decent at getting on base, may take a gamble on Verdugo.