The 2024 trade deadline is days away, and the Boston Red Sox's two recent series losses to the Dodgers and Rockies suggest they may need more help than the front office anticipated based on the team's June and early July hot streak.
It's a tight race for a wild card spot around the league and there aren't many clear sellers in this year's market. But the Red Sox have recently been linked to a popular righty infielder, and he's likely to be one of the most hotly coveted bats before July 30.
Chris Cotillo of MassLive has linked Boston to Angels third baseman Luis Rengifo. The infielder has posted a breakout season after six years in Anaheim and has garnered plenty of attention from clubs that need a consistent bat.
Rengifo is batting .309/.351/.432 with a .783 OPS through 71 games. He doesn't pack the most pop, as he only has six homers among his 19 extra-base hits, but he's only fanned 37 times, good for a strikeout rate in the 92nd percentile. Rengifo is a switch hitter, and his ability to swing from the right side would be key for the Red Sox who've struggled against left-handed pitching.
Red Sox Rumors: Boston among clubs targeting Angels' Luis Rengifo before trade deadline
Welcome BACK Luis Rengifo 🔥@Angels l #RepTheHalo pic.twitter.com/XXji2dQAi3
— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) July 24, 2024
Rengifo is a third baseman and could station there on days Rafael Devers may need some extra rest. Devers has been battling a sore shoulder all season and he's been in visible pain in recent games. Rengifo could take some of his reps in the field, which would give his shoulder a break to keep it in better shape at the plate, where the Sox need him most.
Rengifo has also played 28 games at second base this season and could play there while Vaughn Grissom gets back on his feet. Grissom is in the midst of a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester and is nearing his return to the Red Sox, but Rengifo could provide an offensive boost over him, David Hamilton, Jamie Westbrook or Romy González.
The 27-year-old's defense could be problematic, though. Rengifo has posted negative seven outs above average this season, and his worst performance is at second base. His third-percentile defense could be a concern among some of Boston's other questionable defenders.
Overall, Rengifo would be a quality trade target for the Red Sox. There are a handful of other ball clubs interested in the infielder, including the Yankees, and it's not certain if the Angels are willing to trade him yet. He's under team control until after the 2025 season and would be a solid addition to any team that needs a consistent bat and flexible infield defense.