As the MLB trade deadline fast approaches, the Boston Red Sox are one of the teams to keep an eye on. After a first half that nobody expected, they now sit ten games behind the division-leading New York Yankees. In a World Series defending season, Sox fans would’ve had much larger aspirations for this team. However, there’s still time to make this right, and the trade deadline will prove to be massive for them.
Trade Deadline to Make or Break Red Sox Season
Any moves that Dave Dombrowski and the front office make in the next week could very likely set the rest of the season up. Whether they decide to buy, sell or stick with their internal talent, this is going to be very telling on whether or not the Sox will, eventually, make the postseason.
If the Sox are going to be buyers during this window, then it’s obvious where they’re going to improve. The bullpen’s been the biggest factor this season for the Sox in losing so many of their close games. With the likes of Brandon Workman having an excellent season, Nathan Eovaldi moving to the pen and a few other pieces starting to perform well, one proven reliever could help the Sox’s playoff push substantially.
Who the Red Sox Could Target
Over the last week or so the Sox have been linked with a couple of different bullpen guys. One report had them attached to Ken Giles, of the Toronto Blue Jays, and, surprisingly Kirby Yates of the San Diego Padres. I used the word surprisingly to describe this, as I’m not quite sure what the Sox would be able to do in order to acquire the Padres closer – one of the best relievers in the game right now.
The Sox traded for Andrew Cashner, of the Baltimore Orioles just over a week ago – giving their rotation a much-needed boost. But who knows if he’s a guy who can shine in Boston. Through his first two starts, he hasn’t shown anything suggesting that he can. New York Mets starter Chad Wheeler is available via trade and is someone who the Sox have also been linked with. But, it doesn’t seem likely that Dombrowski will look for another rotation arm after the Cashner deal – which seems kind of like a panic buy right now.
If the Sox want to continue to win this season, a bullpen arm is a requirement. Whether it’s Yates, Giles or someone else, it’s something that’s needed. It all depends on how much the Sox are willing to go after a postseason campaign this year. It might be too late for one reliever to turn this season around in the right way. One guy isn’t going to turn around a ten-game gap between the New York Yankees and the Sox, but they could help secure a wild card berth. What Dombrowski needs to ask himself is that if giving up even more of an already shallow farm system is worth it just to risk it all in a one-game-playoff.
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