The Boston Red Sox's streakiness is preventing them from knowing their fate as buyers or sellers ahead of July's trade deadline. A team that recently had clawed its way back firmly into the playoff conversation is now sitting closer to last place than third.
Without Rafael Devers in the lineup, Boston’s presence in the batter’s box is far less imposing. While Alex Bregman appears set for a return in the coming weeks, there has been plenty of rumblings about the team taking on the second half of the season without him, too. Bregman appears interested and even eager about signing on for an extended stay in New England, so anything less than resigning the 2024 AL Gold Glover at third base would be a genuine sign of meltdown within the organization.
But third isn’t the only hole in Boston’s lineup. The proberbial straw that broke the camel’s back with Devers was a bungled ask of the power lefty to dig his glove out of whatever storage locker the team suggested he stash it in to play first.
First base remains a glaring issue in the Red Sox lineup card daily. Romy Gonzalez and Abraham Toro have combined to provide a serviceable platoon there, but with Alex Cora continuing to shift players around the diamond, neither has had the opportunity to settle in completely. With Toro slowing down at the plate, revisiting this infield slot (in addition to the mess on the mound that Craig Breslow will no doubt have to address at the deadline) is likely a high priority. Fortunately, there’s a quality trade candidate in the National League that might just fit right in.
Josh Naylor could be the answer the Red Sox are looking for at first base
Josh Naylor is the owner of a .304 batting average with 10 home runs and 53 RBIs so far this year. Naylor is a consistent threat in the batter’s box, averaging 23 home runs and 95 RBIs across 162 games. Given Arizona’s recent woes and the powerhouse NL West it has the unfortunate honor to play within, the team is almost certainly already out of postseason contention.
Naylor is one of many trade chips that Arizona could be looking to move. He’ll be a free agent at the end of the season, and Arizona will surely be eyeing up ways to cash in on the glut of talent that will otherwise walk out the door for nothing when the season comes to a close. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com highlights Boston as a potential fit for the 2024 All-Star.
Arizona sits in roughly the same position as Boston, in limbo between buying and selling, but Will Leitch at MLB.com highlights the Blue Jays as a team that’s poised for a regression as the season wears on, and the Rays will play the easiest remaining schedule in the AL East, but spend most of that time on the road thanks to the team’s move to an outdoor venue. The opportunity is there for Boston to regain the ground it’s lost in this recent skid, and an everyday first baseman is a big step in that direction.