Red Sox Trade Rumors: Long-shot blockbuster deals we wish would happen
By Sean Penney
The Boston Red Sox may not feel the pressure to make a bold move on the trade market this winter but here are five deals we wish they could pull off.
Trade rumor season is upon us! A Boston Red Sox team basking in the glow of a World Series championship may not feel obligated to make a blockbuster deal yet Dealin’ Dave Dombrowski has never been shy about making bold moves.
The free agent market is highlighted by a pair of superstar hitters yet neither appears to be a fit in Boston. There’s no room in the Red Sox outfield for Bryce Harper and Manny Machado didn’t exactly endear himself to this fan base during his years in Baltimore.
Boston made a splash in free agency last winter by signing J.D. Martinez. This year, the focus should be on retaining their own free agents. After a year in which they had the highest payroll in baseball, expect the Red Sox to show restraint in shelling out a mega-contract for one of the top free agents.
Trading for a star player could be a different story. Whether it be acquiring a player on a reasonable contract or making a deal that allows them to alleviate payroll concerns by sending some salary out in exchange, the trade route is the more viable path to adding an impact player.
Any of the deals we’re about to discuss should be considered a long shot. We’re shooting for the moon here. Boston may not have enough pieces to make it happen yet each of the following players is potentially available on the trade market and would represent a significant upgrade to this team.