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Red Sox reportedly looking for a ‘major upgrade’ at third

By Daniel Cassese

Jul 5, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski speaks on the phone prior to a game against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 5, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski speaks on the phone prior to a game against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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As expected, the Boston Red Sox plan to be major buyers at the trade deadline.

The Red Sox are just a half-game back of the American League East after an extended New York Yankees losing streak. As is always the case, they intend to compete for the division and an eventual World Series birth. But if their aspirations are to come to fruition, the roster will need to undergo a couple of serious changes.

First and foremost is third base. Pablo Sandoval has been a well-documented black hole this season. He hit the disabled list for the second time on Wednesday with a “left ear infection,” which is basically just code for the Red Sox saying they want him nowhere near their ball club. Based on his $17 million salary, he’ll make a minimum of $465 thousand while he’s on the DL – or more than half of what Mookie Betts will make all year.

Sandoval is essentially no longer capable of playing in the majors. He’s slashing .212/.269/.354 with an OPS+ of 61 to go with well below-average defense. The Red Sox desperately need to make a change.

Second, is a need for pitching. This need isn’t as pressing as their desire for a stable third baseman, but Wednesday’s bullpen performance perfectly highlights the club’s desire for depth. The ‘pen has been far better than expected this season, posting the second-best ERA in the AL (2.99), but lacks stable late inning arms aside from Craig Kimbrel.

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The seventh and eighth were supposed to go to Carson Smith and Tyler Thornburg, but setbacks to the former and season-ending surgery to the latter have disrupted that plan. Instead, a combination of Heath Hembree, Joe Kelly, Robby Scott, and Matt Barnes have worked the set-up role this season. Scott and Barnes somehow managed to combine for three walks and four earned runs before recording an out in the eighth inning of the Red Sox’ spectacular collapse in Kansas City Wednesday.

According to a report by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the Red Sox are well aware of their needs and expect to make some “major upgrades” over the next six weeks.

The most major upgrade is sure to come at third, as anything is better than nothing. Mike Moustakas and Todd Frazier are the names that have been floated the most lately. Moustakas is in the midst of a career year, but the Royals have been surging lately and may want to hold onto their assets until they know the postseason is out of reach. As for Frazier, he’s clubbed eight homers over the past calendar month with a respectable .817 OPS and is quite openly part of the White Sox plan to sell come the August 1 non-waiver deadline.

One interesting option that Feinsand proposed is a play for Blue Jays’ third baseman Josh Donaldson. This is certainly a far-fetched proposal, but if Dombrowski offers the Jays a deal they can’t pass up, do they stomach sending their best player to a division rival?

A compelling thought, but the Red Sox are more than inclined to hold onto their prospects after dealing so many over the past 12 months. Any deal for Donaldson would surely have to include top prospect Rafael Devers, who is being groomed to man the hot corner at Fenway for years to come.

Then there are less-discussed names like the David Freese, Josh Harrison, and Trevor Plouffe. Even Reds’ shortstop Zack Cozart could be an option if the third base market doesn’t materialize.

As for pitching, the Red Sox will be among a number of teams competing for late additions to either the rotation or bullpen. It’s still too early to determine who will be available, but once the market gets going expect teams to move quickly.

Next: Red Sox bullpen proving elite?

With six weeks left until the trade deadline, the Red Sox are bound to be buyers as they make a push for their second World Series title this decade. If president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has taught us anything since taking over, it’s that when he sets his eyes on a player, he almost always gets him.

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