The Red Sox have had a surprisingly good season as they currently find themselves at the top of a very tough AL East, but it’s still very tight and with the Rays already being very active with trades it should be Chaim Bloom’s turn to counter. These are three trade targets that I believe the Red Sox should look into.
1. Carlos Santana, Royals.
This veteran first baseman is perfect for the Red Sox, he fills a position of need at first base, and also he has a very high walk rate, something the Red Sox could use as they are 24th in baseball in BB. Santana would bring some power as he has 17 HR’s and a switch hitter like him batting at Fenway Park is a dream scenario. Another plus to getting Santana would be he is not a free agent until after next year, so therefore the Sox would look down an everyday first baseman for a year and a half. Santana I believe would be a better fit in Boston than a guy like Rizzo because you can get him cheaper and his approach at the plate fits what they need.
2. Jon Gray, Colorado Rockies
Jon Gray is having his best season as a starter since 2017, and at perfect timing from a financial standpoint considering the fact he will be a free agent at the end of this year. Gray has posted an ERA of 3.67 and opponents are only batting .220 against him. This man is also a righty which would be preferred by the Sox considering they only have one right-hander with an ERA below 4.50. Gray has been pitching really well as of late against some good opponents as well, In his last six starts, he has gone 35 IP while only giving up 10 ER. This pitcher seems exactly like a guy Bloom would like because he is very effective analytically and you can get him on a bargain.
3. Richard Rodriguez, Pirates
Rodriguez, like Gray, is having a career year, in 33.1 IP he has posted a 2.82 ERA and could be a perfect 8th inning guy for the Sox. Rodriguez relies on a good curveball and most relievers on the Red Sox are fastball and slider pitchers, so a Rodriguez acquisition would add variance to the bullpen. Although bullpen is not an immense need but an area they should improve on for the right price. Rodriguez is 31 and at season’s end will be heading into year two of arbitration, so it is unlikely that a club like the Pirates going through a rebuild would hold onto a guy like Rodriguez and instead would cash him in for assets at a time like now.
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