Potential Trade Options: Pitchers
Starters
Earlier this week, it was reported that the Red Sox were targeting aces Gerrit Cole and Jose Fernandez as trade targets this year, but are unwilling to give up budding superstars Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts – and rightfully so. Instead, I took a look at alternative options that would give the Red Sox a viable number two starter capable of pitching effectively in the postseason and down the stretch.
While there’s plenty of starters likely to be on the market this July, San Diego’s Tyson Ross and Oakland’s Sonny Gray look to be the two best options for Boston to consider. Ross, despite an injury that’s kept him out this season, has front-line stuff and is established as one of the better right-handers in the National League.
Gray, on the other hand, was widely regarded as one of the best young starters in the American League entering the season – but has struggled mightily this season. With his cost likely down, the Red Sox can offer up plenty of top prospects to entice the Athletics without giving up any substantial major leaguers.
For full analysis on Ross and Gray and how they’d impact the Red Sox, read more here.
With the Chicago White Sox struggling after a hot start, this may finally be the year that they consider trading Chris Sale. And if they do, the Sox would be foolish not to go after him.
While Sale dominating this season – he has a 2.83 ERA despite getting less strikeouts and groundouts – he’d likely command a big asking price, but the Sox have the pieces to acquire him.
Swihart, for example, seems like the perfect trade candidate after spending much of his time in the minors as a top prospect and thriving in the big leagues. While it’d be upsetting for the team to lose a potential cornerstone at catcher, Boston has the defensively gifted Christian Vazquez behind the plate – and it doesn’t look like he’ll be losing the job anytime soon.
Pairing Swihart with a pitching prospect, say Owens or Brian Johnson, and another mid-level prospect like Marco Hernandez would likely be enough to sway the White Sox into giving up Sale.
Bullpen
It was also reported that the Sox would target high profile relievers in the event they can’t acquire a starter at the deadline – so I named a few bullpen options as well. Colorado’s Jake McGee, Minnesota’s Fernando Abad and Atlanta’s Arodys Vizcaino all look to be prime trade candidates, and wouldn’t force the Sox to give up much impact talent.
They could also target Andrew Miller, but it’d take a massive haul in order to get a reunion with the southpaw.
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