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Top 5 Red Sox Who Should Have Been Traded In 2015

By Jared Chandler |
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Jul 31, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter

David Ortiz

(34) waits at home plate for first baseman

Mike Napoli

(12) after hitting a two run home run during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The 2015 MLB non-waiver trade deadline has come and past and unlike last season the Red Sox remained very quiet. Rumors were swirling around the league that the sox would trade off several pieces that were key contributors to their 2013 World Series run.

The Red Sox needed to make moves this past trade deadline, not only to get rid of players that were not helping, but to also start thinking more into the future. Clearly this team has several needs that were not addressed this past offseason, but a couple moves at the deadline could have made up for those once lost opportunities.

Following the deadline General Manager Ben Cherington told the media that the front office did have talks with other teams, but they are willing to take further action in the offseason.

“We talked about a lot of stuff. Big, small, in between. In the end, didn’t find enough compelling to do much. It just didn’t come our way. But thought we had a really productive week nonetheless. Got a lot of information. We know a lot more about what may or may not be in play for us going forward in the offseason,” Cherington said.

There you go Red Sox fans, Cherington came out and said that he is anticipating the team to make moves following the season. However, moves still should have been made and with that here are 5 players the Red Sox should have traded during this non-waiver trade deadline.

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Jul 21, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Brock Holt (26) during the game against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

#5 – Brock Holt

What a season it has been for Brock “Brockstar” Holt. He was the only Red Sox player to make the 2015 All-Star team and he has arguably been one of their most consistent. Why trade him you make ask? When would Holt’s value be any higher than it currently is? He is one of the most versatile players in the entire league. He plays every position on the field, what team wouldn’t want to have that available off their bench in a deep playoff run?

Holt’s numbers don’t jump off the page and make your eye widen, however, they are solid. He currently is posting a .288 batting average with 2 home runs and 26 RBI. The one stat that is impressive is his OBP and it currently ranks 15th in the American League at .364.

Holt is 27 years old and really shouldn’t be in the Red Sox immediate future plans, unless they really want to keep him as a utility player. Overall he isn’t good enough to consistently be an everyday player, but because the Red Sox situation he is forced to play every day.

The Red Sox could have improved their bullpen situation if they shopped Holt around and pitching help is more in need than fielding. For now they will keep Holt and maybe it is for the better, but hey seeing what teams would give you for the “Rockstar” wouldn’t hurt.

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Mar 31, 2015; Port Charlotte, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (25) runs back to the dugout at the end of the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

#4 – Jackie Bradley Jr.

The Red Sox have called Jackie Bradley Jr up to the majors several times now and every time the sox get the same results, great defense but terrible hitting. When Bradley Jr is playing the the outfield there is no question that defensively he is one of the best in the majors. He has great range that gives him the ability to track down any fly ball, and he also has an extremely strong arm. The one downfall on his game is his ability to hit big league pitching.

Bradley Jr’s career batting stats in the minors are a .294 batting average, with 135 RBI and a .391 OBP. Those stats are only in 4 years of minor league ball. In the majors it’s a whole other story. In three seasons with the sox Bradley is batting a .191 with 43 RBI and a .264 OBP. Why can’t Bradley Jr hit in the majors? He can field great, but he just can’t simply hit the ball and in the Red Sox lineup they can’t afford to have a player who can’t hold their weight at the plate.

The Red Sox should have explored a trade to ship Jackie Bradley off. He would have helped a team who is very strong offensively but that was in need of some defensive assurance. What could he have brought back in return? Possibly some young pitching prospects but anything would help.

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Feb 21, 2014; Ft Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Henry Owens (76) throws during spring training at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

#3 – Henry Owens

Why would the Red Sox want to trade one of their top pitching prospects you may ask. Simple, Henry Owens could have been a highlighted piece in a deal that could have brought Cole Hamels to Boston.

In 4 minor league seasons, Owens has posted solid numbers. He has a career 3.30 ERA with 43 wins and 24 losses. Also his strike out per 9 is strong as it sits at 9.9. He has yet to make his major league debut so we don’t know how he will transition.

The way the Red Sox rotation has been the past 2 seasons bringing in a solidified vet like Cole Hamels would have given them a solid anchor for the next 4 years. I understand that Owens does have a high ceiling so trading him might have been a bad decision, however, when you have a farm system like the Red Sox sometimes you have to bite the bullet and make a huge splash. Trading Owens would have been that splash.

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Jul 8, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Koji Uehara (19) pitches against the Miami Marlins during the ninth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

#2 – Koji Uehara

I will be the first to say that I love Koji Uehara and what he has brought to Red Sox Nation these last few years, however, father time catches up with all of us and when its time to go you listen to him.

There is no arguing that since Koji became the Red Sox full time closer he has been one of the most consistent in the league. In his 3 seasons with the Red Sox he has a 2.00 era with 225 strike outs and 70 saves.

The one downfall on him and the reason why the sox should have traded him is just simply his age. He is going to be 41 years old and he is still under contract for just over 9 million. The Red Sox can’t be planning to have Koji in their future plans can they? Koji could have joined a contending team and really strengthened the back end of their bullpen; at the same time the Red Sox could have gotten a young arm or two to add and help their rebuilding process.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Red Sox explore a trade for Koji in the winter if he does decide to keep playing. At this point the sox need to go younger, not keep older veterans who will just put a dent in the teams wallet.

Next: Mike Napoli

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Jul 23, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli (12) hits an RBI double during the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

#1 – Mike Napoli

The fact that the Red Sox didn’t trade Mike Napoli during the non-waiver trade deadline shocks me, I thought that once Shane Victorino was traded the next would surely be Napoli.

Napoli in his 3 seasons with Boston has been very up and down. During the World Series run in 2013, Napoli was one of the key pieces that helped that team get over the hump. The way he has hitting the ball to go along with his stellar defense made the Napoli signing look like a match made in heaven. Looking at the play of Napoli now in a way puts what he did in 2013 in the back of peoples minds.

This season for Napoli has been one to forget at the plate. He isn’t even batting his body weight. He currently sits at a .206 average with 13 homers and 39 RBI. He still plays great defense, and in all reality that might be the reason the Red Sox choose to keep him on the squad.

Would he have brought back a lot if the sox traded him? Probably not, however it would have freed up some money that the Red Sox owe him for the rest of the season and it might have brought back a young prospect.

Napoli would have helped a contender who was looking to sure up some of their defensive issues. The Red Sox should have parted ways with Napoli. He could still get traded in August so don’t be surprised if that does occur.

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