The Boston Red Sox made a splash this offseason by signing Ranger Suárez to a five-year, $130 million deal. This follows their trades for Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo. With these moves, they’ve revamped 60% of their starting rotation.
Even though Lucas Giolito is gone, the Red Sox have plenty of options. Garrett Crochet, Suárez, and Gray are expected to lead the rotation. It’s doubtful they’d trade Oviedo soon after giving up a promising outfield prospect, Jhostynxon Garcia, to get him. Still, any of their starters could be up for trade.
Experts like Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic and Sean McAdam of MassLive suggest that a trade could happen. The Sox have depth, making them less desperate to trade unless the offer is too good to pass up. With a long season ahead, they can manage their rotation options by using their Triple-A team in Worcester to prepare for injuries.
Trading a starter could help the team fill gaps in the infield. They recently lost a bid for Alex Bregman, leaving them without a solid option at third base and uncertainty at second base. While Marcelo Mayer could step up, they still need reliable backup. Ceddanne Rafaela is too valuable in center field, and the current platoon options aren’t inspiring.
If the Suárez signing was their big splash, the Red Sox will likely look for an infielder through trade. They had been in talks for Ketel Marte, who was recently taken off the market, and are linked to Brendan Donovan. However, they seem to prefer right-handed hitters, which might make them hesitate.
Isaac Paredes from the Houston Astros is another name to watch. Despite the Astros’ reluctance to trade him, many teams are trying to gauge Houston’s interest. The Astros have recently added starting pitchers, but they still need more depth.
What happens if Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow decides to trade a starter? There are intriguing possibilities.
Payton Tolle and Connelly Early could be strong assets in a trade. Both made their MLB debuts last season. Early impressed in four appearances, while Tolle faced some challenges. However, Tolle’s potential keeps him on many teams’ radars.
Both players are regarded highly in the organization, with Tolle boasting an average fastball speed of 97 MPH. They both have multiple years of club control, making them valuable. The Red Sox likely wouldn’t trade them unless they received an established player in return.
Brayan Bello, signed for a total of $50.5 million, is also under consideration. He performed well last season but struggled with his strikeout rates. At 26, Bello offers velocity but may not be as valuable to the team as his ERA suggests. Trading him could also offer financial relief from the luxury tax.
Another option includes Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval. Crawford missed the entire last season due to injuries, while Sandoval is recovering from Tommy John surgery. Both have the potential to be solid contributors if they can overcome their health issues. However, the Red Sox may be cautious about parting with Sandoval given their investment in him.
Then there’s Kyle Harrison, who came over in the Rafael Devers trade. Harrison has shown promise but struggled with consistency. At just 24, he could still become a valuable pitcher, so the Sox might want to hold onto him for now rather than risk trading him away.
In contrast, a trade involving Tanner Houck seems unlikely. Coming off Tommy John surgery, he is set to miss the upcoming season, limiting his appeal to other teams.
The Red Sox are making strategic moves, and how they navigate their roster could define their upcoming season. The balance between maintaining depth and securing necessary talent will be pivotal.
For more insights on how trades and signings shape team dynamics, check out resources like Baseball America.
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