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Boston Red Sox shouldn’t trade Michael Chavis for pitching help

By Steve Atkinson

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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Boston Red Sox top prospect Michael Chavis has been on fire. I would not, however, trade him for washed-up pitcher Madison Bumgarner.

Since Michael Chavis received the call to the majors, the top hitting prospect in the Boston Red Sox organization has been making a name for himself.

Chavis has 22 hits in 76 at-bats with seven home runs. He has 20 RBI’s already and a .999 OPS. With his batting average at .289, it’s only going to go up from here for the infielder.

There’s a great chance that Chavis will excel in a Red Sox uniform. He brings value to the team and is a nice long-term second base replacement for Dustin Pedroia, who’s had another setback in his rehab. The thought of trading Chavis for pitching help doesn’t really make sense for the short and long term.

During Tuesday night’s Baseball Reporters on 98.5 The Sports Hub, Tony Massarotti discussed a scenario of trading Chavis for San Francisco Giants lefty Madison Bumgarner.

My answer is no because it doesn’t help the Sox long term. Bumgarner isn’t the ace he once was and really can’t bring enough value to the Sox right now. Boston’s starting pitching, in general, has been a lot better lately after a slow start. Why would they break it up for a pitcher who’s past his prime?

Buster Onley of ESPN made a list on 10 teams that could be interested in Bumgarner. The Sox were eighth on the list along with the Padres, Astros, Yankees, and other teams. For the Sox, the bullpen makes the most sense to improve.

Bumgarner was a three-time World Series Champion and a four-time All-Star but he is only 2-4 with a 4.04 ERA in nine games this season.

He’s also had some injury history after a dirt bike incident in April 2017. Bumgarner hurt his throwing shoulder and missed significant time until the All-Star break of the 2017 season. He hasn’t really recovered fully from the injury and it’s affected his performance on the mound. It also doesn’t look good that Bumgarner got hurt riding a dirt bike during baseball season. The injury didn’t come from pitching and that’s a bad look. The Red Sox don’t need him.

The Red Sox didn’t want to sign Craig Kimbrel because of luxury tax issues but they’ll trade for Bumgarner? It makes zero sense. Yes, the bullpen is weak but that doesn’t mean they have to make stupid moves that could damage the team in the future. I wouldn’t trade Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez, or even Andrew Benintendi for pitching help that won’t help them long term.

Next. Which Red Sox relievers are in the circle of trust?. dark

Regardless where the Red Sox are at the deadline, Michael Chavis is going nowhere. He’s too valuable to the future of this team. Chavis has proven he belongs in the Majors while Bumgarner has taken some steps back since his injury. All that Chavis can do now is prove he’s still a powerhouse to this Sox lineup and can help win them games for a long time.

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