Boston Red Sox should target pitchers from New York Mets deep rotation

Jul 27, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Mookie Betts (50) hits an RBI double during the second inning against the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Now the question becomes what can the Red Sox give up to get one of these elite pitchers? It’s going to take a lot to pry any of them away from the Mets, given their combination of talent, age and cheap contracts. Of course those are also the factors that would make it worth it for Boston to make a play for one of them.

The problem is that while the Red Sox farm system is loaded with high-upside position players, their best prospects aren’t close to being major league ready. That may pose a problem for a Mets team that has found their way into first place in the NL East. If they are going to break up part of their dominant rotation, they will want to acquire a bat that can help contribute now.

Boston’s highest rated prospects are Yoan Moncada and Rafael Devers, but both of them are still playing in A-ball down in Greenville. Their No. 3 prospect Manuel Margot climbed to Double-A Portland this year, but he’s also years away from contributing at the major league level. These three all have tremendous upside, but they are also 20-years old and under. Would the Mets be willing to wait that long to capitalize on their upside when they are ready to contend now?

The Red Sox do have many young, talented players on their big league club. Would they be willing to sacrifice one in order to bring in an ace?

Blake Swihart is the prize that many teams have asked for when the Red Sox have inquired about making a blockbuster trade. The 23-year old catcher is rapidly improving in his rookie season, but he may not be a good fit for the Mets, who already have their own former top catching prospect. Travis d’Arnaud has struggled with injuries in his brief career, but he’s hitting a respectable .279/.355/.544 with 9 homers in the 39 games he has been healthy for this year. A future star catcher probably isn’t on their wish list right now.

That leaves a pair of 22-year olds, Xander Bogaerts and Mookie Betts, as the most enticing trade chips on the Red Sox roster. Boston has been adamantly against including either in a deal, but they might have to in order to pry away one of these pitchers from the Mets. Betts would be the more likely one to go, considering Boston’s outfield depth. It would pain them to give up such a talented player, but they need a front line starting pitcher a lot more than they need an outfielder. You have to give something to get something.

Perhaps New York could be convinced to take a package of several appealing players instead of one blue-chip star. A package revolving around All-Star Brock Holt or defensive wizard Jackie Bradley could work if the deal also included one of the top prospects Boston has at the lower levels of their system.

The Red Sox have plenty of resources from their major league roster and strong farm system to make a deal. Now they just have to find a package that the Mets find appealing.