In the fallout of the heavily controversial Rafael Devers trade to the San Francisco Giants, the Boston Red Sox may become sellers at the deadline despite currently holding a Wild Card spot.
Devers was having a career year as the Red Sox's designated hitter, with a .905 OPS, but his move did not bring Boston the starting pitching many fans were waiting for. Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks were the two most prevalent arms included in the trade. Harrison is a starter-turned-reliever and Hicks is a flamethrowing bullpen arm unsuccessfully converted into a starter by the Giants.
Boston optioned Harrison and Craig Breslow plans to return Hicks to the bullpen. The Sox are still in need of some reliable starting pitching to provide decent innings and support Crochet and shore up the rotation.
3 expendable players Red Sox can move at trade deadline for starting pitching
David Hamilton
David Hamilton proved himself as a major league-caliber player in 2024. He swiped 26 bags and earned 2.6 WAR as a dynamic utility player and speed option off the bench. Hamilton’s fate has turned this season as he has been stuck behind highly rated rookies Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer in the infield. If not outright designated for assignment, Hamilton is the clear option to be moved.
With Hamilton losing his role in the lineup, and only batting .194 this season, the Sox should sacrifice any value he has left for a veteran arm or rental. Many teams around the league could use Hamilton as a speedy utility option to complement their rosters. A package of Hamilton with a pitching prospect like David Sandlin could be used to bolster a return of an arm like Kris Bubic from the Royals if they decide to sell in a tight AL Central.
Jhonxstyon Garcia
Since his promotion to Triple-A Worcester, Jhonxstyon Garcia has been hitting the cover off the ball batting .304. Garcia is only 22 and has quickly risen to the fifth-ranked Sox prospect. Garcia has considerable upside and potential but has seven outfielders ahead of him on the outfield depth chart. If “The Password” continues to rake, he should be a valuable trade piece instead of waiting in the queue for a roster opening.
Garcia will garner a lot of attention in the market as a high-ceiling outfield prospect. He could net Boston a rental arm like Erick Fedde to provide innings now for the rotation in desperate need of support. Garcia has zero opportunity for playtime and should give the Sox much-needed pitching help.
Wilyer Abreu
Another option to free up outfield space for rising star Roman Anthony is to trade 2024 Gold Glover and Rookie of the Year contender Wilyer Abreu. This may be a controversial move, but being only 25 with four more years of control, Abreu could net the Sox a huge return. If Anthony is the future in the outfield, Abreu should be moved to make way.
Abreu had a nuclear start to the season but has since cooled down. He's shown real signs of struggle against fastballs, hitting only .207 against them this season. Before he is figured out by opposing pitchers, the Red Sox should move Abreu with his value at its highest. With Abreu (and Devers) gone, Anthony could become the everyday right fielder with Rob Refsnyder and Masataka Yoshida platooning at DH for lefties and righties, respectively. Merrill Kelly could be the perfect name for the Sox to send Abreu and if needed, a mid-level prospect like Nazzan Zanetello to get a fresh change of scenery in Arizona and bolster the package.