3 Boston Red Sox who won’t survive the trade deadline and why
By Mark Powell
The Boston Red Sox face some tough questions at the MLB Trade Deadline, particularly whether they’ll choose to buy or sell.
Give the Red Sox credit — at 26-24, they’re in a better position than most thought they would be in nearing Memorial Day. Boston, however, is in the toughest division in baseball. The AL East is unforgiving, and despite the winning record, the Sox are 10 games back of the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays. The Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees are blocking them from a Wild Card spot, and those two teams are yet again in the AL East.
Boston, should they decide to go for it, has some rather obvious roster flaws they’d like to address. Namely, the Red Sox starting rotation and bullpen could use some work.
But if they sell, the Sox could rebuild their farm system on the fly. Chaim Bloom is used to being in this position during his time in Tampa Bay — arguably good enough to make the postseason, but perhaps not on the level of other contenders within their league. The list of possible rentals Bloom could sell off is abundant.
Red Sox who could be traded: Chris Sale
Chris Sale’s overall body of work this season is not an impressive one. His ERA is over five, but if you put his last few starts under the microscope, his outlook is much prettier.
Sale, for all his flaws, has given up three runs or less in his last four outings. He has lasted over six innings in all those appearances, as well, including an eight-inning start on May 20. Sale has one more year left on his deal, and he’ll make $20 million in 2024. That’s a lot of money to pay for a left-handed ace way past his prime. However, if Sale is pitching relatively well around the deadline, Boston might finally be able to get his contract off the books, and avoid paying next year’s $20 million.
Beyond that, whichever team Sale pitches for will have a club option. Considering he’ll be 36 years old in 2025, that option will be declined. But this old dog still has some decent baseball left in him.