MLB Rumors: Pete Alonso future, Dodgers’ E-Rod flop, Red Sox almost blunder

MLB Rumors: Red Sox almost trade locker room anchor Justin Turner

The Boston Red Sox famously traded catcher Christian Vázquez at the 2022 deadline, which set off a chain reaction of displeasure in the locker room. Naturally, president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom wouldn’t make the same mistake twice, right? Right??

Wrong! Well, not entirely wrong, but dangerously close to wrong. The Red Sox were engaged in extensive talks centered on trading infield star Justin Turner to the Miami Marlins before the Aug. 1 deadline, according to Levi Weaver and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Talks eventually died, but another centerpiece of the locker room culture in Boston was almost dealt in the middle of a competitive season.

There’s more to winning than raw numbers. It’s the classic debate of X’s and O’s versus team chemistry. Can you win a championship with players who don’t like or understand each other? Perhaps, as sports history is littered with a wide variety of examples to back both sides of the argument. But with the Red Sox, it’s clear the talent necessary to compete is already in place. To risk another bout of turmoil midseason is risky business for Bloom and the front office.

Turner has been tremendous for Boston all season, splitting .286/.356/.481 at the plate with 17 dingers and 71 RBIs. Oscillating between the infield and DH, Turner has been central to the Red Sox on and off the field. It’s hard to imagine a worthwhile trade, even if the Marlins are flushed with pitching talent. Surely there were better avenues to explore to upgrade the bullpen.