Boston Red Sox: Top Prospects Who Could Be Traded

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Dave Dombrowski has some interesting decisions to make as the trade deadline approaches, and that means he will most likely have to part ways with some top Boston Red Sox prospects.

After dealing four prospects away in the wake of the Aaron Hill and Brad Ziegler trades this past week, the Boston Red Sox have boosted their roster but still need help.

It was announced on Saturday that Craig Kimbrel needs surgery on his knee and will be out for 3-6 weeks. While Koji Uehara and newly-acquired Brad Ziegler can fill the role, the Red Sox still need some late-inning help. The bullpen has a 3.92 ERA and is responsible for 13 Boston losses.

Left field has been a major issue all season, and Brock Holt re-injured himself Friday night with an ankle sprain. Bryce Brentz has done a nice job filling in there, but questions arise as to whether or not he can hold down the position for long. The Red Sox will look to either add a platoon player or an everyday left fielder, but both will cost prospects.

Lastly and most importantly, the Red Sox need rotation help. David Price has yet to live up to his mega-deal, and the Red Sox can’t trust Clay Buchholz, Joe Kelly, or Eduardo Rodriguez. This might be a position where the Red Sox make a major splash.

Let’s take a look at some of the prospects that the Red Sox might be dealing away before August 1^st.

Next: Staying Put

Staying Put

Before we list the guys who might be shipping out of the minor leagues, the Red Sox have a couple of guys who they have big plans for in the future, and there’s no need to trade them away for a two-month rental.

Yoan Moncada – The Red Sox top prospect and fifth best prospect according to MLB.com isn’t going anywhere. To simply put it… the Red Sox paid a minor league player $31.5 million. He’ll be in a Red Sox uniform for a long time.
Andrew Benintendi – This is one of the most exciting Red Sox prospects. Benintendi has exploded onto the scene since being drafted seventh overall in the 2015 draft. He’s already made the jump to Double A after having a .341/.413/.563 slash line at the Single A level. Now with a hot start for Portland, we could see him playing left field at Fenway very soon.
Anderson Espinoza – This 18-year-old righty out of Venezuela is turning heads in the minors. Although he is still down in Double A he has the potential to hit 97 MPH with his fastball, and that is encouraging enough for the Red Sox to keep him around.
Sam Travis – This is probably a surprise to many to be on this list, but Travis has played extremely well for Pawtucket this season. He’s hitting .272 with six home runs and 29 RBIs in 47 games after a successful Double A campaign. Not to mention, he could be next in line to play first for Boston when Hanley Ramirez becomes a full-time DH next season.

Author Note: Our mistake…Anderson Espinoza is currently playing in Single A Greenville, not Double A Portland

Next: Rafael Devers

Rafael Devers – Third Baseman – Single A Salem

This pick may turn a lot of heads to be listed as one of the guys who could be on his way out. Devers is an extremely talented prospect who could be a part of a package that would yield guys like Sonny Gray or Carlos Gonzalez.

He’s currently playing in Single A and is the #2 Red Sox prospect according to MLB.com. Last year he was second in the low Class A South Atlantic League in doubles (38) and total bases (208). He’s just 19 and has tons of room for improvement.

There’s only one problem… he’s position-locked. The Red Sox have Travis Shaw at third base at the MLB level, and it looks like Yoan Moncada will be the successor. The Red Sox have a potential perennial All-Star shortstop, and Dustin Pedroia still has five years left on his contract.

In the end, there’s really no room for Devers, making him expendable.

Next: Deven Marrero

Deven Marrero – Shortstop – Triple A Pawtucket/MLB

Deven Marrero in reality should be a useful infield bench player at the major league level, but just hasn’t been able to use his bat while given the chances. In 29 games over the last two seasons at the major league level he’s hit just .217 with a .254 OBP and 22 strikeouts.

Although batting is a con, he can be used off the bench for fielding or base-running. He has experience at third, short, and second, and could be useful to a struggling team in need of depth.

Look for Marrero to be involved in a trade for a reliever with a team like the Brewers, Braves or the Padres.

Next: Michael Chavis

Michael Chavis – Third Baseman – Single A Greenville

Chavis is another prospect that could bring in a bigger name. He also suffers from being position-locked and may not have a chance to see a starting position any time soon with the Red Sox.

He could be an attractive name to a team looking for a future third baseman. He was drafted out of high school in 2014 by Boston, but failed to hit his stride in his first full season in 2015.

However, this year we’ve seen improvement from Chavis. He has a good slash line of .288/.363/.453, with five home runs and 21 RBIs. Not to mention, he’s just 20 years old and can still switch positions if need be.

Chavis could be included in a deal that could bring in a pitcher like Rich Hill, Arodys Vizcaino, or Jeremy Hellickson.

Next: Pat Light

Pat Light – Relief Pitcher – Triple A Pawtucket/MLB

Pat Light is an interesting prospect for the Red Sox. He’s a young right-handed pitcher who can touch 98 MPH with his fastball, and could turn into a late-inning reliever. In 20 games with Pawtucket this year he has a 2.05 ERA with 32 strikeouts.

He can be a fun pitcher to watch, but can also be risky to put on the mound. He’s been a much different player when pitching for the Red Sox. In 2.2 innings pitched in Boston this year he’s given up seven earned runs on seven hits with two home runs.

Next: Kimbrel to have knee surgery

Light can’t help the Red Sox right now, but could be useful to a farm system of another team. Light could be traded in a package for a player like Ender Inciarte or Peter Bourjos.

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