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Boston Red Sox: Five biggest questions this offseason

By Sean Penney

Sep 17, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski looks on during the third inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski looks on during the third inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 30, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Blake Swihart (23) triples during the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Red Sox won 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Blake Swihart (23) triples during the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Red Sox won 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Which player on the roster is most likely to be traded?

Sean: Blake Swihart is the one that is most in need of a change of scenery, as the Red Sox seem to have given up on him as a catcher and the backup plan of moving him to left field is off the table thanks to the emergence of Andrew Benintendi. Unfortunately, admitting that Swihart can’t catch crushed his trade value. If they give up on him now they’ll be lucky to get 50 cents on the dollar. They may be better off selling a guy like Jackie Bradley at the peak of his value if it can land them an ace starter or big-time power bat. Benintendi would then slide over to center field, opening a starting spot for Swihart in left. While I would prefer to keep JBJ, he would bring far more value in a trade than Swihart at this point.

Brandon: Swihart is the only real asset who looks to be in absolute limbo right now and yet still has worth. Almost everyone else on the active roster has either a defined role or isn’t worth much of a look. Swihart could be behind the plate as a catcher for any other MLB team; the problem for him is the log jam of catchers in the Red Sox organization. Between Sandy Leon, Christian Vazquez, and possibly Ryan Hanigan, nobody is the clear favorite to win the position next year. However, it doesn’t look like there is a place for Swihart any time soon in left field either. He’s got potential that another team would want, but the Red Sox just don’t have the time to wait for it to come through if they could make a trade for a proven veteran.

Rick: So long, Jackie Bradley! If you want something, you must give up something. To get Sale, a package must be devised. Red Sox fans will undoubtedly think that a package of Deven Marrero, Shaw and a 30th or so ranked prospect would be an over-payment. Reality check, folks. To get Sale it will be a pile of quality and not baseball flotsam.

Matt: Bradley, because his defense alone is enough to entice other teams and the Sox can’t afford his droughts at the plate. I would think he could be part of a package to bring some pitching back.

Chance: While this may contradict what I just said, if someone is traded, I think it will be Shaw. However, I don’t foresee that happening.

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