5 players who could be traded if the Red Sox fall out of postseason contention

5) Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo could be traded if the team falls out of postseason contention

This one is unlikely, but I do feel like if Boston does decide to sell, they've got to at least test the waters on a potential Alex Verdugo trade. I know he'd like to stay, and I'm sure they'd want to extend him, but Verdugo could simply be pricing his way out of Boston.

Verdugo is slashing .290/.360/.457 with seven home runs and 38 RBI. He's been excellent in the outfield and we all know about his outstanding throwing arm as well. Rafael Devers doesn't lead Red Sox position players in fWAR, Verdugo does.

If Boston does not want to extend him, which has been the case for many other homegrown players (inexplicably), now would be the time to trade him. He has one more year of control after this before hitting free agency. With how well he's played and the fact that he has another full year, his value might be at its peak right now.

Verdugo can play all three outfield positions, can hit anywhere in the order, and can get on base at a really high level. He's making just $6.3 million this season, and won't be making more than $10 million or so next season. A contender would get him for two postseason runs, and with how well Verdugo played in the 2021 postseason, that's definitely a good thing.

I'm not sure Boston ends up moving him, but they should at the very least explore the market if they don't want to extend him and are selling anyway.