3 Red Sox who survived the trade deadline but won't have the same offseason fate

In the weeks leading up to the trade deadline, rumors flew about potential Boston Red Sox who could've been on the move.

But, as the trade deadline approached, the Sox only began to look better. They held on to many of their best trade pieces and opted to buy. Boston got off to a rough start after the All-Star break, but it's won its three series since the trade deadline.

Some of the most prominent Red Sox trade deadline rumors surrounded Kenley Jansen. The front office looked to trade the veteran closer over the 2023-24 offseason with no success, and rumblings that it would dish him at the deadline began early in the campaign.

Besides a few rough outings against his former club in Los Angeles, Jansen has been lights out for weeks. He'll be a free agent at the end of the season, though, and the Red Sox likely won't pursue an extension with him. Here are three other Red Sox who will either be traded or will have their contract with the squad expire without an extension.

3 Red Sox who survived the trade deadline but won't have the same offseason fate

Tyler O'Neill

Tyler O'Neill has posted a rebound season in Boston, his best since he received MVP votes with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2021. He's slashing .268/.357/.544 and has crushed 22 homers and 16 doubles this season. He's played a capable and versatile outfield, too.

But the 29-year-old is on an expiring contract, and the Red Sox's outfield is packed. Jarren Duran has emerged as a star, Ceddanne Rafaela touts Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field, Wilyer Abreu and Rob Refsnyder have both been great defenders with reliable bats and Masataka Yoshida can also slot in the pastures. Boston also has Roman Anthony slated for a 2025 debut, and he's a lock for the team's future.

O'Neill has been a staple in the Red Sox's lineup this season and he's been one of their best weapons against lefty pitching. But the Red Sox outfield is so packed to the brim with talent — and even more on the way — that it doesn't make much sense to seek another deal with O'Neill.

Enmanuel Valdez

The Sox have cycled Enmanuel Valdez up and down from Triple-A whenever they need middle infield help, and he hasn't been the most reliable option. The 25-year-old is slashing .226/.282/.402 over 56 big-league games, but his bat improved during his most recent stint with the Red Sox.

Valdez's defense is the big problem, though. The infielder has accumulated negative seven outs above average at second base. He also has seventh-percentile arm strength and 22nd-percentile sprint speed — despite his own defensive struggles, David Hamilton has Valdez beat in every defensive category.

The Red Sox also have Vaughn Grissom under contract until 2029, and a slew of other middle infielders in their farm system. If Boston can trade Valdez as part of a package for starting pitching, it'd be the best-case scenario.

Nick Pivetta

Nick Pivetta has been a Red Sox since 2020, and he's shuffled between the rotation and bullpen frequently. His role as a starter hasn't gone perfectly this season, as he's pitched to a 4.44 ERA, but he's thrown a fair few gems out of the rotation.

Pivetta's contract will expire at the end of the season unless the Red Sox pursue an extension with him, which seems unlikely. The righty has experienced elbow issues this season, including a flexor strain and general arm fatigue, which has caused Boston to skip his upcoming start so he can have extra rest.

Craig Breslow is on a mission to improve the Red Sox's pitching, and the starting rotation has the most glaring need for improvement. Boston has no star power or top-tier pitchers in its rotation, and Pivetta's spot could be filled by a top free agent hurler if the Sox go for it this offseason.

The Red Sox could've traded Pivetta at the deadline to get a return on his expiring contract, but teams' asking prices for top talent were astronomical. Unless they transition him to the bullpen, where he's been more successful, the Sox will likely move on from Pivetta after this season.

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