Offseason preview: Five big-name Red Sox trade targets
Realistic Red Sox fans realized that this season was over a long time ago. It certainly hasn’t been the season that most expected following a World Series victory, but, alas, even the best laid plans often go awry.
So what’s needed to right the ship?
The front office has already set the wheels in motion for the offseason, making more than a few deadline deals and signing Rusney Castillo to a long-term deal. A couple more offseason signings or trades and the Sox could be contenders again.
BSI’s own Conor Duffy previewed some potential free agents, so now, let’s take a look at five potential big-name offseason trade targets and what it might take to get a deal done. Keep in mind that these are realistic targets, having all had their names mentioned in trade rumors, so don’t be upset when you don’t see Mike Trout or Miguel Cabrera anywhere on the list.
Sep 8, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder
Giancarlo Stanton(27) hits a solo home run in the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Let’s get the obvious one out of the way.
Stanton has had his name connected to the Red Sox for about two seasons now. And as much as the Marlins insist they plan on giving Stanton a long-term extension, their history of failing to sign key players to long-term deals (Miguel Cabrera, Hanley Ramirez) speaks for itself. So when the Marlins inevitably put Stanton on the market, expect the Red Sox (and every other team in baseball) to be calling.
Potential Deal: Blake Swihart, Henry Owens, Mookie Betts, Yoenis Cespedes for Stanton
It’s a lot, especially with the way Cespedes has excelled in his limited time in Boston. But for Stanton, it’s likely at least close to what it would take. Proven talent versus potential talent from a prospect will have to be carefully considered.
Sep 7, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher
Cole Hamels(35) throws during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit:
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Hamels has been excellent this season for Philadelphia, posting an 8-7 record to go with a 2.56 ERA. It’s the classic case of an excellent pitcher on a bad team.
Hamels has been durable, missing only a few starts early this season to a shoulder injury that has had no lingering effects. He’s one of the few players the Phillies can use as a rebuilding chip, as his contract isn’t an albatross like those of Ryan Howard or Cliff Lee. With only four years and just under $100 million remaining on his deal, Hamels falls in the range of what the Red Sox would have liked to give to Jon Lester.
Potential deal: Anthony Ranaudo, Garin Cecchini, Brian Johnson for Hamels
The return could be more here in terms of higher rated prospects, but the Sox are helping the Phillies get out from under a large contract, so that could factor into the pieces of the deal. They’d still be getting two major league starters and a potential starter at the hot corner.
Jul 14, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; National League infielder
Troy Tulowitzki(2) of the Colorado Rockies hits a home run in the first round during the 2014 Home Run Derby the day before the MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
This is a real love/hate situation. When healthy, Tulo is the best shortstop in the game and probably one of the top five players in all of baseball. The problem is that he’s very rarely healthy.
He’s out for the rest of 2014 with a hip injury and hasn’t played close to a full season since 2011. He also hasn’t been able to go two consecutive seasons of full health at all throughout his career.
He’s made it clear that he wouldn’t mind being dealt and I’d be willing to bet that the Rockies wouldn’t mind dealing him and starting over. So would the Red Sox be interested? I’m betting they would, although you can’t pay for him at full price because you just can’t count on getting back a completely healthy player.
Potential deal: Xander Bogaerts, Ranaudo, Swihart for Tulowitzki
You’re taking a chance here. It may seem like a lot to give up if you’re concerned about all the injuries, but when you think about a healthy Tulo, he’s worth probably close to a Stanton-type deal. I think it’s an offer the Sox would at least consider.
Aug 30, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher
Chris Sale(49) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
The tall, thin lefty’s talents are currently being wasted on a Chicago team that isn’t at all close to contending, so a potential deal could be found here.
Gordon Edes cites his major league sources as saying that the White Sox have so many needs that they might move Sale just to fill some of those spots. Sale is on an affordable deal and is pitching at a Cy Young level, with the only concern being his arm angle that has some concerned about potential injury.
Sale would immediately fill the hole left by the Lester trade and would provide the Sox with some flexibility to spend money on another starter in free agency, such as James Shields.
Potential deal: Swihart, Owens, Cecchini for Sale
Sale is on a more team-friendly deal than Hamels, so the return is a little more. Swihart would fill a need at catcher while Cecchini could slide in at third or in left. Owens would give them a potentially strong starter to help cushion the blow of losing a frontline starting pitcher.
Sep 2, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; New York Mets third baseman
David Wright(5) connects for a double during the second inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The Mets should continue to try to get younger. They’re close to being competitive, and moving Wright for a few pieces could be the key.
The questions about Wright this offseason will be focused on health. When healthy, he’s one of the most productive third-baseman in the game. But he’s been nursing a shoulder injury all season, an injury that is going to keep him out for the rest of the year, and he’s on the wrong side of 30 so there’s no way to guarantee he’ll return to an All-Star level.
Like the Tulowitzki deal, the Sox would be taking on a talented player with a big contract who could be real hit or miss due to injury.
Potential Deal: Brock Holt, Deven Marrero, Johnson for Wright
Holt would give them a player they could plug immediately into the lineup at any position while they’d finally have a shortstop in Marrero. Don’t sleep on Johnson either. He’s a solid left handed pitcher who some say could be better than Owens.