Boston Red Sox
Winners of 20 of their last 23, it’s time to realize they’re on the cusp of contention.
What was the Red Sox’ front office thinking?
Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow and Co. should have anticipated that Curtis Mead would break his wrist in his first game with the team. Breslow and Co. can’t be trusted.
All jokes aside, I wasn’t necessarily a fan of the trade. I liked the concept of the trade – send a solid pitcher to a fellow slightly above-average team for a solid hitter to make both rosters more balanced – but I personally wouldn’t have given up Connelly Early.
In the aftermath of the deal, I learned that some particularly snarky Red Sox fans don’t believe in Early’s long-term potential as a No. 2 or 3 option on a contender. I do, but to each their own.
With that said, I still think there’s an opportunity for Mead to contribute down the stretch and in the playoffs. As someone who broke his wrist twice as a kid – one time trying to balance on a soccer ball (not very well) and the other backpedaling on a tennis court (again, not very well) – my expert medical opinion is that Mead will have a chance to return sometime in September or October. If he does, and he gets a chance to prove himself, then we can truly assess this trade.
In the meantime, let’s all put that one behind us and pretend it never happened. Time is of the essence, and it seems more likely than not that the Red Sox will make at least one more move before Monday at 6 p.m. So, what are some options? Who should stay and who should go? Do they need to do something major, or would a sneaky-smart move or two suffice?
Let’s take a closer look:
Outfield
Before the season, it was fair to expect the Red Sox’ outfield to be one of the best in baseball. With Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela’s rising stardom, Jarren Duran’s unique blend of speed and power, and Masataka Yoshida’s knack for contact, the group had little bit of everything. Oh yeah, and remember that Roman Anthony guy?
Abreu has used the momentum he generated from the World Baseball Classic to piece together a strong season and establish himself as a fixture moving forward. Rafaela has improved his plate discipline and consistently delivered in key moments. Together, they form one of the best defensive duos in baseball. Rafaela and Abreu aren’t going anywhere, nor should they. Expect to see those guys in Boston for a long time (if I’m wrong, feel free to call me out).
This is where it gets more interesting. Duran is third on the team in home runs (13), first in steals (15), and second in RBIs (54). When everything is working the way it’s supposed to, he’s still a highly versatile player with a unique skill set. But, he’s hitting .197. That isn’t going to cut it. If his average were around, say, .235, you’d look the other way and pretend it wasn’t an issue. But below the Mendoza Line isn’t good enough. He’d be the first to admit that.
Yoshida is a professional hitter and someone you can trust to get the ball to the outfield with runners at second and third and one out in the eighth inning of a one-run game. But, he’s played just 73 games and has a .379 slugging percentage. He’s 33 years old and isn’t quite as dynamic as his counterparts in the outfield.
With a revitalized Jahmai Jones also in the mix, and showing flashes of power in key spots, it may be time to move on from Duran or Yoshida for the right price. If there’s any chance Anthony returns, then there’s really a surplus of outfielders. Even if he doesn’t, they might want to consider acquiring an infielder or relief pitcher for Duran or Yoshida.
Infield
Willson Contreras has been one of the best players in baseball. He’s consistent, clutch, dynamic and fiery, and he unequivocally sets the tone for this team. While players like Sonny Gray, Aroldis Chapman, and Connor Wong lead by example, Contreras is the heart, engine, and vocal leader.
After an impossibly slow start that seemed to drag on for months, Caleb Durbin has blossomed into the player the Red Sox thought he could be. Durbin is hitting .280 with three home runs and nine RBIs in July after finishing June with a .326 average, six home runs, and 13 RBIs. I’ll spare you from the May, April, and March numbers, but let’s just say he’s established himself as a clear-cut every-day player.
Second base and shortstop get a bit more murky. With Mead out, and Marcelo Mayer either injured or underachieving, it would behoove the Red Sox to look for options. Anthony Seigler plays with an edge and has tools in his arsenal, but ideally he would be a utility guy rather than an every-day player.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Nick Sogard, and Romy Gonzalez are all serviceable and capable of playing multiple positions but are inconsistent at the plate. Tsung Che-Cheng is worth having on the roster as a defensive-minded shortstop in clutch situations. Andruw Monasterio has been one of the unsung heroes of this resurgence, and I personally think he deserves more credit than he’s received.
With that said, if the Red Sox have any chance of acquiring Marlins infielder Otto López, they should do it. Give Miami some combination of Duran, Yoshida, Mayer, Monasterio, Seigler, Trevor Story, and draft picks. Adding Lopez’s .329 average to the top of the lineup, followed by Rafaela, Abreu, Contreras and Durbin? Now that’s something. Insert Zach Neto or Luis Arráez in for López and they should do it if they can, even if it requires some infield tinkering and prospect trading.
Or perhaps they have faith that intriguing prospect Franklin Arias will be ready for the bright lights just in time. That would be something.
Catcher
Wong has been a pleasant surprise this season, hitting .267, excelling behind the plate, and mastering the new automated ball-strike challenge system. Carlos Narváez has taken a considerable dip, hitting just .193 and struggling with ABS at times.
Mickey Gasper fared admirably in his stint with the team and is currently tearing it up in Worcester. Seigler is capable of playing catcher in a pinch. The Red Sox like Wong behind the plate, for good reason, but if they can land Liam Hicks along with Lopez in a blockbuster trade, they should do it. Tyler Stephenson of the Reds and Ryan Jeffers of the Twins are also options, but they may not be an upgrade from Wong.
Starters
Will Garrett Crochet return this season? If he does, will he look like near-Cy Young Crochet, slumping Crochet, or somewhere in the middle? Those are questions that likely keep Breslow up at night, but dealing Early is a sign Breslow has faith in some combination of Gray, Ranger Suárez, Jake Bennett, and Payton Tolle to get the job done in the playoffs.
Gray is fully capable of thriving as the No. 1 starter in a playoff series, Suárez has a career 3.34 ERA and has been steady this season, and Bennett and Tolle have stepped up in a major way. When you look at that group, and consider Crochet’s potential return, it feels like tinkering just to tinker would be a force. Let it be. See what happens, and if it doesn’t work, consider making a move in the offseason.
Relievers
Garrett Whitlock in the eighth and Chapman in the ninth is money. Don’t trade Chapman. Let him finish his career in Boston.
But, what about the sixth and seventh? Patrick Sandoval could potentially be an option in the playoffs. Brayan Bello has fared well in a relief role, but his first inning – whenever it comes in the game – isn’t always kind. Tyron Guerrero has been solid, while Justin Slaten and Greg Weissert have been inconsistent. Mets reliever Luke Weaver, who has a 1.88 ERA, is an option.
The Red Sox should look to bolster their infield and bullpen. They shouldn’t tinker with their rotation any more and shouldn’t be afraid to trade an outfielder for the right price. This team is close, and a couple savvy moves could potentially vault the franchise to the next level.
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