Red Sox can’t sell low on the injured
This season has been a disaster for Andrew Benintendi and last year was no picnic either. He’s regressed in virtually every area of his game and now he’s sitting on the injured list with a rib injury. Fans are frustrated with his performance but selling while his value is at its lowest point would be foolish. The Red Sox still believe in his talent and he’s under team control for two more years. They have every reason to be patient rather than sell a player with his potential for scraps.
Cross Eduardo Rodriguez off the list while we’re at it. He had a breakout year in 2019 that would peak the interest of many contenders if he were healthy. Unfortunately, E-Rod won’t be pitching this year, eliminating him as an option to aid another team’s playoff push. Boston wouldn’t be able to trade him until after the season and even then, concerns about the long-term condition of his heart would depress his value.
Basically everything said about Rodriguez goes double for Chris Sale. He won’t help any team’s rotation this season, he needs to prove he’s fully recovered from Tommy John surgery, and he’s far too expensive for most teams to gamble on.