The Boston Red Sox have had an up-and-down season, starting 18-12 and then dropping to 22-24 before rolling into late June with a 43-37 record. With the MLB trade deadline approaching, Boston might take a unique approach to July.
The Red Sox have faced plenty of criticism in recent years for their lack of activity, allowing several key players to walk or trading them as ownership slashed payroll. It resulted in a team with lowered expectations at a time when the organization seemed to prioritize maximizing revenue instead of building the strongest roster possible.
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- Boston Red Sox pitching stats (FanGraphs): 3.55 ERA (6th in MLB), 1.16 WHIP (fifth), 23.5% strikeout rate (sixth), .232 batting average allowed (ninth)
When Boston entered June below the .500 line, there were plenty of questions about how they would approach the MLB trade deadline. Many of the Red Sox rumors suggested contributors like Nick Pivetta, Tyler O’Neill and Kenley Jansen might all be dealt throughout the summer. Thanks to one of the best records in June, plans might be changed.
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- Boston Red Sox lineup stats: .742 OPS (fifth), .243/.322/.420 slash line, 374 runs scored (eighth), 104 wRC+ (12th)
Appearing on Foul Territory, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal shed light on how the Red Sox front office might approach the MLB trade deadline.
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“At this stage, as well as they’re playing and as interesting as they are, I would expect that they will buy. They may do two things at once, they can trade some of their potential free agents perhaps and bring in other players.”
Ken Rosenthal on the Boston Red Sox approach to the MLB trade deadline
Rosenthal did make an important note, that clubs in Boston’s position are expected to make an effort to compete and that’s what they usually do. However, the Fenway Sports Group and John Henry haven’t shown an interest in making that effort in recent years.
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It remains pretty clear that trading Jansen, O’Neill and Pivetta are very much under consideration for Boston. All three players are big reasons why the Red Sox have been so good this summer, but trading them means shedding payroll and obtaining more prospects.
If the Red Sox are going to take a balanced approach to the MLB trade deadline, they could trade Jansen and O’Neill for prospects and use some of their new minor-league depth to acquire a starting pitcher or bat with multiple years of contract control. However, a month out from the MLB trade deadline, a slum might be the only push ownership needs to compel the front office to operate as sellers.
