The trade deadline for Craig Breslow and the Red Sox has come and gone, with Danny Jansen, James Paxton, Lucas Sims, and Luis Garcia coming in with a lot of prospects moving out in those trades.
Despite what Breslow did at the trade deadline, there is always a discussion to be had about what he didn't do. While the moves he made were good ones and the Red Sox did improve, there's still one thing that feels incomplete about this trade deadline.
It's the fact that Bobby Dalbec is still in the organization. He's survived yet another trade deadline despite his poor performance and clear need for a change of scenery.
There's no telling if the Red Sox were actively trying to trade Dalbec, or if there was any market for him at all. It's time for Dalbec to get a fresh start, and the Red Sox should do right by him and trade him somewhere he'll get a real shot.
The Red Sox didn't trade Bobby Dalbec despite both sides needing to move on
Last season, there were rumors that Dalbec could be traded at the deadline. He stayed put though, as the only move Chaim Bloom made was the acquisition of Luis Urías from the Milwaukee Brewers — even Dalbec was surprised he was still with the Red Sox entering spring training. Those rumors picked up again in the offseason, but no trade materialized.
Despite making the Opening Day roster this year, Dalbec has been nothing but an emergency option in case of injuries to a corner infielder for the last two seasons. Even when Triston Casas got injured in April, Breslow went out and got Garrett Cooper and Dominic Smith to ensure the team didn't have to rely on Dalbec.
Bobby Dalbec's last two ABs:
— Worcester Red Sox (@WooSox) July 25, 2024
Game-Winning HR Last Night
Go-Ahead HR Tonight pic.twitter.com/HJIn7H1cDl
Dalbec hasn't had much value for the last two seasons, as he's only managed 21 hits combined over 2023 and 2024 in the majors, with an OPS+ of 53 in 2023 and 14 this year. Despite this, he still handles Triple-A pitching quite well, as he's got 14 home runs and an .819 OPS in 57 games with the WooSox.
Things just haven't clicked for Dalbec in the majors for quite some time. This year is his last season with minor league options. He's under team control until the end of 2027, as he'll be arbitration eligible for the first time this offseason.
He's a very clear DFA candidate in the offseason as he won't have any more years of minor league options remaining, and it's clear the Red Sox don't value him highly. Getting him out of town and to an organization that can give him a real chance in the majors is something the Red Sox need to look into this offseason, even if it's just for cash considerations or a player to be named later.