3 Red Sox trade targets who make sense to acquire, 2 who absolutely don't
The Red Sox should be looking at trade candidates who fit a certain criteria and stay away from those who don't meet it.
The Boston Red Sox remain undeclared as trade deadline buyers or sellers. Could they fall somewhere in between? They definitely don’t seem to have the kind of roster that can go all the way to a championship parade and yet with a team very much in contention, they shouldn’t even think about selling off major pieces either.
It’s not a spectacular place to be. Having a more defined mission at the trade deadline to add or subtract makes a general manager’s job much easier. Chaim Bloom has some big decisions to make and only a little over two weeks to make them.
Regardless of how they’re playing, the Red Sox should weigh the option of buying certain players. Three potential trade targets do make sense for them while another pair don’t really make much sense at all for Boston.
Red Sox trade target that makes sense: Joe Kelly
A return to the Red Sox for Joe Kelly makes sense for them and his current employer, the Chicago White Sox. Kelly has had a miserable time in Chicago. Including last season, Kelly is 2-7 with a 5.54 ERA in 65 innings for the Southsiders.
What could possibly have the Red Sox thinking of acquiring him? Because of the struggles, Kelly will come at a smaller price tag. He also has a $9.5 million team option for next season. The Red Sox should have additions for next year’s roster in mind as early as this month.
As ugly as the ERA has been for the White Sox, Kelly has a 3.12 FIP while in Chicago. It’s an exceptional difference and suggestive of some bad luck. However, it’s not all just a lack of four leaf clovers. His 1.44 WHIP reveals how many base runners he’s allowing.
Kelly shouldn’t cost the Red Sox much more than a low-level prospect. The White Sox should want to move on from him. The Red Sox should view him as a candidate to rebound with a return to Boston. He might not be at his best, but as a veteran with toughness and familiarity with the Red Sox culture, a turnaround isn’t outrageous to expect.
Red Sox trade target that makes sense: Paul DeJong
A different player for an entirely different Red Sox trade deadline need, St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong is someone the Red Sox could probably get for practically nothing at all. In fact, the Cardinals might sweeten the deal and throw in something else—like a willingness to pay a portion of his salary.
DeJong’s once promising career managed to award him with a contract through 2025 but with team options each season. He’s set to earn $12.5 million in 2024 and another $15 million in 2025. He was sent to the minors last season in what turned out to be his second straight year of batting below .200. It wasn’t like the 2021 campaign when he was shy by a few points at .197. DeJong hit only .157/.245/.286 in 237 plate appearances for the Cardinals in 2022.
Things have been much better this year with DeJong slashing near his career totals. DeJong isn’t anybody’s “dream” shortstop and yet his combination of power and defense makes him an asset. His biggest problem has been consistency. As a more affordable rental who could be on the move, the Red Sox should consider him.
He fits the Red Sox roster due to the absence of Trevor Story and any other truly competent shortstop options. DeJong is a good fielder who would become more of a utility player with some pop with Story back. If successful, the Red Sox could always ponder the thought of playing him regularly up the middle. Let Story and DeJong battle for who gets shortstop.
DeJong is a buy for this year and next season, unless he’s a complete disaster in Boston. The Cardinals are ready to buy him out at the end of the year. He’s worth the risk.
Red Sox trade target that makes sense: Any of the Brewers starting pitchers under contract next year
A more outside of the box way for the Red Sox to think at this year’s trade deadline is to flip one of their outfielders in a deal for some starting pitching help. The Milwaukee Brewers have starters to spare. They’re the team to look at even if the Red Sox ultimately decide they’d rather subtract from the farm system than the MLB roster to acquire one of them.
Because the Brewers are very much alive in the playoff race, the Red Sox won’t be snagging Corbin Burnes away. Others would make more sense. It depends on how hard the Red Sox want to push.
A pitcher like Julio Teheran is only worth acquiring if the Red Sox add even more to their roster. He’s a free agent at the end of this season. Someone like Adrian Houser, who reaches his third and final year of arbitration eligibility next season, looks more ideal for the Red Sox. He’s the best combination of age, talent, and control through next season.
The Red Sox shouldn’t necessarily have a target goal of winning the 2023 World Series, but they should also avoid punting the opportunity completely. It might not be the easiest trade to make with the Brewers because they have their eyes on a championship as well. Their obvious need for more offense is where Boston can help out.
Red Sox trade target that doesn’t make sense: Eduardo Rodriguez and any other starting pitcher headed to free agency
Reunions in sports are romanticized. Eduardo Rodriguez coming back to the Red Sox is one of those matches the team doesn’t need to make. As excellent as he has been with the Detroit Tigers this year, his contract should have Boston spooked.
Rodriguez has an opt out at the end of this season and looks ready to flex it. Why give up anything for him when you’re just going to have to re-sign him to a brand new deal? Rodriguez is a better fit for a team looking to acquire a finishing touch to their starting staff to help them win now. The Red Sox need more and to acquire Rodriguez they’d be giving up quite a bit.
Rodriguez is hardly the only starting pitcher trade candidate for the Red Sox to pass on. Anyone on an expiring contract or with an opt out should leave the radar. There are too many roster holes for the Red Sox to fill to become a more serious contender. Within their own division, they look like the weakest link.
Maybe a return to Boston for Rodriguez in free agency could work. At the trade deadline, he just doesn’t make all that much sense. He has a high salary and will come at a price the Red Sox shouldn’t pay.
Red Sox trade target that doesn’t make sense: Lance Lynn
Lance Lynn falls into a different category of starting pitcher than Rodriguez and everyone else on lame duck contracts. Lynn has an $18 million club option for 2024. The White Sox will be prepared to buy him out. So would everyone else. He is nearing the end of his career and will be a payroll burden next year even if he improves.
Lynn came into the weekend leading the league in earned runs and home runs allowed. He has already surpassed the totals from many previous seasons. He’s getting knocked around this year and despite this, someone will probably acquire him at the trade deadline for very little in return.
The Red Sox should avoid even the thought of Lynn coming to Boston and getting back on track. Between the struggles of Chris Sale and more so Corey Kluber this season, they should stay away from the overpriced veterans. It’s not a formula that has worked for the club.
If the Red Sox are going to add starting pitching, they should use their resources to land better quality arms and preferably controllable ones. It’s not out of the question for them to add a couple of rentals and see how it works out. What they can’t do is trade for a player like Lynn having a bad year and eating up a large part of the payroll.
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