Red Sox Refuse to Trade Mookie Betts or Blake Swihart
You can forget Cole Hamels. The Boston Red Sox will not trade away Mookie Betts or Blake Swihart.
Red Sox insider Sean McAdam reported recently that any trade that Boston makes will have to be made without giving away either of those young, talented men. They have made their interest in the lefty pitching ace clear to the Philadelphia Phillies, but, “according to an industry source, ‘there’s no sense of urgency” to get a deal done soon for the lefty starter:
"“It’s thought that Allen Craig may have been part of that package, which the Phillies summarily rejected, preferring to obtain younger prospects rather than veteran players — the better to begin the rebuilding process the franchise needs.” – Sean McAdam, on the potential Hamels deal"
From what is known by sources, it looks like the Red Sox are interested in making trades, as long as it is for veterans or young talent whom will not be a part of their short-term plans. Betts and Swihart are on the 40-man roster, with Betts already seeing 52 games last season. “Swihart could become the team’s No. 1 catcher as soon as next season.”
More from Red Sox History
- Two notable Red Sox anniversaries highlight current organizational failures
- Contemporary Era Committee doesn’t elect any former Red Sox to Hall of Fame
- Johnny Damon calls Red Sox out, reveals hilarious way he skirted Yankees’ grooming policy
- Remembering the best Red Sox Thanksgiving ever
- Red Sox World Series legends headline 2023 Hall of Fame ballot
If these two young men are as good as people are saying they will be, why should the Red Sox trade possible all-star players away for a very pricey starting pitcher?
‘s Zachary D. Rymer claims that Betts is “poised to become one of MLB’s big 2015 breakout stars.” Rymer’s extensive look at Betts’ plate discipline and skill with the bat is definitely worth the read, which will leave you with more than enough reason to agree with the Red Sox brass to keep the multi-talented Tennessee native. In the wake of the strikezone growing larger by the year, hitters are striking out more than ever. “In an environment like this, hitters who are good at working pitchers
and
making contact have become hard to find. They’re like needles in a haystack, except the haystack is growing larger every year.” Well, the Red Sox already found Betts, so why trade him?
Mar 3, 2014; Bradenton, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart (80) at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The same goes for Swihart. Look around the league and tell us how many catchers can be offensive threats as well as defensively sound? Not many. Baseball Prospectus released their Top 101 Prospects of 2015, earlier this month, with Swihart as the top Red Sox prospect at No. 17 overall. He is also considered the best catching prospect in all of baseball. The 22-year-old from Bedford, Texas has “potential above-average hit tool and average power potential at a premium defensive position,” according to SoxProspects.com. The proof is in the 13 home runs and 64 RBIs, between playing for Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket, slugging at .469 while having a .341 on-base percentage. Combined with his powerful arm and defensive play, this kid is the total package. Why would anyone trade that away, as his abilities at his position are often rare?
The price for Cole Hamels would be too extensive for the Red Sox, but not because of his paycheck. The Sox have more than enough money to absorb his contract. However, they don’t have the resources to absorb the pain of losing what could quite possibly be two amazing players. Their future is now, just like the Red Sox who want to put 2014 behind them and win another championship. They could do it with Hamels. They could do it with Betts and Swihart just as easily, though.