The Boston Red Sox in recent history have almost always used the trade deadline as a way to improve their current roster and gear up for a postseason run, but they may have a difficult decision to make before July 31 this year.
After they lost two out of three games to the bottom-feeding Baltimore Orioles over the weekend, the Red Sox are now 11 games back in the AL East and three games out of a wild card spot. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, they have not yet decided if they will buy or sell at the deadline.
Getting the sense the Red Sox (3 games out of a wild card, 11 back in the AL East) are on the fence about whether to buy or sell before July 31. With 62 games remaining, Boston opens a three-game series at The Trop tonight, which could bring some clarity to its situation.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 22, 2019
While they probably aren’t going to catch the New York Yankees in the division, making up three games in the wild card with 62 remaining is certainly feasible. However, the Red Sox have a depleted farm system and may simply feel they don’t have enough to repeat as World Series champions. If they struggle over the next week, they may have the urge to acquire some prospects.
The question, of course, is which player or players they would unload. Mookie Betts is obviously their biggest name, and there have been questions about whether or not Boston is willing to spend what it will take to keep him. JD Martinez can also opt out of the final three years of his contract this winter, and he’s having another excellent season at the plate with a .285 average, 19 home runs and 51 RBI. Would the Red Sox try to move him if they don’t want to give him a raise or additional years?
Of course, the Red Sox have been connected to several players who could improve their team and give them a better chance at reaching the postseason. They’re probably more likely to go that route than they are to sell off assets, but it bears watching.
