Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow reported that he's hoping to add a starting pitcher and temporary shortstop before the July 30 trade deadline.
Recent circumstances in his ballclub may allow him to reconsider, though. Bleacher Report has named a new potential target for the Sox, and he could slot in well with Boston's needs.
David Hamilton's offensive surge and defensive improvements and Ceddanne Rafaela's versatility have lessened the Red Sox's shortstop struggles. But Boston still has issues at second base.
Enmanuel Valdez is inconsistent in the field and at the plate. Vaughn Grissom has played just 23 games this season, the most recent was on June 1. The 23-year-old has been rehabbing another hamstring injury and he still has a long way to go — a June 26 injury update revealed that Grissom has been running, but hasn't advanced to baseball activities after almost a month on the shelf.
Bleacher Report suggests Red Sox could target Rockies second baseman Brendan Rodgers to bolster middle infield
"We are hitting an inflection point here... you have to add something."
— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) June 24, 2024
With the Red Sox moving up in the standings, do you have faith they will be active at the trade deadline? pic.twitter.com/MQrIrrHYiA
MLB columnist Joel Reuter has named Colorado Rockies second baseman Brendan Rodgers as an option for the Red Sox. The addition of a second baseman may make more sense than a shortstop with Hamilton and Rafaela playing well.
Rodgers' bat would give Boston a boost that Valdez and Grissom have yet to provide. He's batting .284/.318/.406 with 14 doubles, a triple and four homers. The infielder has been on a tear in June, and he's slashing .360/.370/.520 in his last seven games.
Rodgers has logged two outs above average at second base, which is a significant improvement over Valdez's negative five. The young Rocky is under contract until 2026, so he could serve as a quality backup second baseman even after Grissom is healthy.
It's still unclear if the Red Sox plan to buy, sell, or a combination of both before the deadline. Alex Cora has made his stance clear, and he thinks it's important to bolster his club. Rodgers could be a welcome addition to the Sox's roster, and he could platoon with Grissom at second upon his return.