5 realistic players the Red Sox could acquire at MLB trade deadline
We’re more than 60 games into the MLB season and the Red Sox are sitting at 31-30, currently last place in the AL East. While some Sox fans may rightfully have their disappointments, help is soon on the way.
Adam Duvall will return from the 60-day IL soon, coming off a video game-like slash of four homers with a .455 batting average in his first 33 at-bats with the club. Trevor Story may also return earlier than expected, bringing back another valuable piece to the lineup. While it’s great these pieces are returning, the Red Sox still need more to compete at the top of this elite division. Let’s take a look at five realistic additions the Red Sox could make at the deadline to help with a playoff push.
Possible Red Sox trade deadline acquisition No. 1: Aroldis Chapman
Aroldis Chapman was merely an afterthought over this past offseason, signing late with Kansas City on an inexpensive one-year deal. With the Royals looking to sell at the deadline, Chapman and the Red Sox make for a perfect match. Boston has been searching for a reliable lefty reliever nearly all season, but nothing has worked so far.
Acquired in the Matt Barnes trade, Richard Bleier has been awful with a 5.85 ERA, failing to get outs in timely situations. Former Mariners lefty Brennan Bernardino has stepped up well in Bleier’s placed notching a 2.70 ERA in 16 innings of work, but he’s skipped back and forth between the majors and Triple-A, leading us to believe the club might not believe in him as the number one lefty option in the bullpen moving forward.
Acquiring Chapman would also provide Boston another closing option, giving them a strong fallback option in case Kenley Jansen falters like he did last season with Atlanta. However, the asking price might be pretty high, as Chapman very well may be the best reliever on the market this offseason.
Possible Red Sox trade deadline acquisition No. 2: CJ Cron
While it’s been cool to see occasional flashes of power and supreme talent, I’m not sure if Triston Casas is already an everyday player on a contending playoff team. Though he’s off to a slow start, Colorado Rockies first baseman CJ Cron could be a wonderful addition to this Red Sox lineup.
Posting 57 homers over his last two seasons, CJ Cron could bring some much-needed power to this lineup, a lineup that ranks in the bottom half of the league in home runs. Cron is a pending UFA this offseason and will likely be a part of the impending firesale that will take place with this last-place Colorado Rockies team.
Possible Red Sox trade deadline acquisition No. 3: Jeimer Candelario
Jeimer Candelario signed a one-year deal with the Nationals this offseason, coming off a strong WBC performance hitting .500 in 12 ABs. Washington was hoping for a season similar to 2021 in Detroit, where Candelario hit .271 with 61 extra-base hits. Candelario has rebounded from a tough 2022 season this year hitting .258 with 7 homers.
He’d be a nice switch hitting bat to add to the Red Sox lineup, while also providing strong defensive flexibility with the ability to play first and third base. Another firesale is imminent with the last-place Nationals, with Candelario, flamethrowing closer Hunter Harvey, and star designated hitter Joey Meneses likely serving as a few of the most coveted players at this year’s deadline.
Possible Red Sox trade deadline acquisition No. 4: Lucas Giolito
With Chris Sale going down for an unknown period of time, it would be foolish to believe this rotation is still playoff-caliber. While most teams would hold onto a coveted starting pitcher, we have to remember that the White Sox are a franchise that is very bullish when it comes to spending money. In fact, the five-year, $75 million deal Chicago gave to Andrew Benintendi this offseason was the largest contract in franchise history.
It’s crazy to think about considering we routinely see big young stars like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Wando Franco earn 200-plus million dollar deals over the offseason. By all means Giolito has had a positive performance on a deeply disappointing and struggling White Sox team. The 28-year-old has a 3.74 in 13 starts this season, most recently coming off a stellar six no-hit inning performance at Yankees stadium.
A decision deadline awaits the White Sox, who currently have several UFAs that will likely be traded if they remain under .500. It’s a strong possibility we could see Lucas Giolito, Lance Lynn, and Tim Anderson all no longer wearing a White Sox uniform by the end of this season.
Possible Red Sox trade deadline acquisition No. 5: Tyler O’Neill
What a season it’s been for Tyler O’Neill, who has yet again struggled with staying healthy. The beginning of the season was highlighted by O’Neill’s feud with Manager Oliver Marmol for “not meeting the standard (of hustling)” while being gunned down at home plate by Braves superstar Outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr.
O’Neill is slowly evolving into a non-everyday player in this St. Louis lineup, a role that is underwhelming for the former slugging outfielder. We often forget O’Neill was incredible in 2021, hitting 34 home runs and slashing a 144 wRC+, leading the Cardinals to a wild card appearance in October. Though 2022 was a year plagued by injuries, O’Neill was still above-average offensively, hitting for a 101 wRC+ with 14 home runs. Considering St. Louis is below .500 and O’Neill is currently unhappy with Oliver Marmol, the 27-year-old would be a perfect buy-low candidate for the Red Sox. He’s undoubtedly deserving of a spot in an outfield that severely lacks depth, especially in light of the recent DFA of Raimel Tapia.
Regardless of the move they make, the Red Sox must add additional roster pieces if they are at all interested in contending for a playoff run. It’s a frustrating reality to accept considering this wouldn’t be the case if the Red Sox were in almost any other division. But this is the AL East, the undisputed best division in baseball. In order to contend, each team must go above and beyond to overtake their competition.
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