Red Sox: Five players that can be traded to improve the roster

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Steve Pearce #25 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates his eighth inning home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Five of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Steve Pearce #25 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates his eighth inning home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Five of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 21: Sam Travis #59 of the Boston Red Sox hits an RBI double during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on September 21, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

#2: Sam Travis

Sam Travis is very similar to Lin in that he has plenty of years ahead of him and also has experience at the MLB level. He is a part of the current main roster and has been getting in reps at first base along with Chavis. Though he is primarily a first baseman he can also play left field if the team needs him to.

Travis came to the Red Sox in the 2014 draft and made his MLB debut in 2017. He was called up this season as the number of injuries began to pile up. Once it was clear that Pedroia wouldn’t be back any time soon, then Moreland and Pearce went down it was Travis that got the call.

Sam is versatile and has shown that his defense is something to be desired by teams that could use his talents. Last night alone he made two great line drive snags against the Rangers. He has great reflexes and instincts to be in the right place at the right time.

At the plate he can be a bit of a head scratcher as some days he seems keyed in and others he couldn’t hit a beach ball. But I think just like in the case of Lin that if he were to get every day reps against major league quality pitching, he can improve. Right now he’s batting a lowly .182 with a single RBI and 5 K’s. Not the hottest asset at the plate but if he can get in the work it can always improve.

I think he’d need to be a part of a package as his upside isn’t as bright as some of the other younger members of the roster.