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Boston Red Sox could use Michael Chavis as trade bait

By Justin Gonzalez

FORT MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Michael Chavis #65 of the Boston Red Sox hits a three-run home run in the third inning of a Grapefruit League spring training game against the New York Yankees at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 23, 2019 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Michael Chavis #65 of the Boston Red Sox hits a three-run home run in the third inning of a Grapefruit League spring training game against the New York Yankees at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 23, 2019 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The Boston Red Sox seem to be at a crossroad that nobody has brought up yet. Michael Chavis could be used as trade bait in order to drastically improve the certainty of the bullpen.

The Boston Red Sox are back at ground zero as they have improved to 19-19 after a 2-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles. The team is finally starting to take shape as they are 8-2 over their last ten games.

According to Fangraphs, the Red Sox offense lead all of baseball in RBIs and walks since April 17th. The overall pitching has also been better than expected, especially with the temporary loss of Nathan Eovaldi and the off-season loss of Craig Kimbrel.

The Red Sox seem to be missing something important, and that something is a true closer. Ryan Brasier and Matt Barnes have been good to very good this season. However, it’s not unacceptable to call them what they are: great set up guys.

In comes Michael Chavis, a 23-year old corner infielder and, soon to be former, top prospect for the Red Sox. He has been at the epicenter of a much needed resurgence while achieving a slash line of .293/.423/.638/1.060 in the first 17 games of his Major League career.

Chavis has done great while filling in for veteran infielders Dustin Pedroia, Brock Holt, and Eduardo Nunez. However the Red Sox are going to have to make a decision in order to improve the most obvious hole in their team which is the permanent pitcher in the 9th inning.

President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski has not been shy to trade young players in his career. He traded baseball’s top overall prospect in Yoan Moncada for Chris Sale in order to address a lacking starting rotation in 2017. Add this trade to the many other blockbuster trades Dombrowski has made in his career, and Chavis’ trade appeal looks as delicious as a piece of raw meat to a hungry wolf.

Mind you, the Red Sox would not be short on corner infielders in their farm system if they parted ways with Chavis. Triston Casas and Bobby Dalbec are the numbered 3 and 4 ranked prospects according to SoxProspects.com, respectively. Both of whom, are still very young and very promising players.

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If the Red Sox found themselves a market for Chavis, a couple of players come to mind that would yield a great return for a trade. Lou Trivino and Felipe Vazquez have been two of baseball’s low key yet solid relievers, but do not appear to be untouchables as far as the two mediocre teams are concerned. Both would keep the Red Sox payroll under $246 million in 2019, and both wouldn’t be free agents until at least 2022.

Vazquez has a 0.54 ERA through 16.2 IP so far in 2019, and Trivino has a 1.13 ERA through roughly the same sample size. Although Trivino doesn’t have the experience as a true closer would, he would be a fantastic long-term addition to the thin Red Sox bullpen depth. Vazquez, meanwhile, saved 37 games in 2018 and earned himself a spot on the All Star roster.

Next. Prospect Watch: Casas picking up steam. dark

It would be hard to pry these two great relievers from these teams, however, saying no to a young phenom like Michael Chavis would not be easy.

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