Boston Red Sox: Potential third base trade targets

With first place in the American League East far from a sure thing, the Boston Red Sox will look to revamp their roster come the trade deadline. The team’s third base production has underwhelmed all season, and President Dave Dombrowski is surely taking notice.

The Boston Red Sox are back atop the American League East.

As the preseason favorites to be not only the class of the AL East but the American League in general, the Sox will surely look to be dealing around this year’s trade deadline.

Third base has been the one major weakness for the team, and it’s well-documented that they’ve been searching around the trade market already.

Pablo Sandoval is currently on the 10-day DL with an ear infection. It’s not like the team misses him much, as the 30-year-old is hitting just .212 on the year.

On the other hand, it’s better than Deven Marrero, who’s hitting .160.

There’s also the extremely unknown Tzu-Wei Lin, who hasn’t played above Double-A but was recently called up by the team.

What I’m trying to say is simple. The Red Sox need third base production if they really want to increase their chances for October.

Mike Moustakas

The obvious name, Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas is a prime candidate to be traded at the deadline.

With the Royals in the midst of a mediocre year and the veteran on the verge of becoming a free agent, it would make a lot of sense for Kansas City to get something in return for their star.

Moustakas, 28, is slashing .271/.309/.542 with an .851 OPS.

He’s also provided serious power, as the left-handed-hitting Royal has produced 20 home runs and 47 RBI.

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports has already reported the Red Sox’ interest in the slugger, and it would make a lot of sense if a deal is struck between the two teams.

With Dave Dombrowski at the helm for Boston, sacrificing prospects won’t be an issue.

It’s tough to see the Royals asking for anything less than one elite prospect, so it begs the question: Would Dombrowski deal Rafael Devers, the team’s top prospect not named Andrew Benintendi?

Only time will tell.

Todd Frazier

If Todd Frazier came to the Red Sox he would provide two things: a lot of power and minimal contact skills.

His 13 home runs and 37 RBI are certainly attractive to potential buyers. However, his .210 average and 24 percent strikeout rate aren’t.

His weak contact-hitting numbers won’t deter teams from looking into him, though, as Frazier is still a fantastic power bat and reliable glove at the hot corner.

The 31-year-old Frazier will be a big target at this year’s deadline, as he is on a sinking White Sox team.

The Red Sox are indeed interested in him, too, as Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reported that the team has scouted him.

More importantly, he is a free agent after the year and is owed a reasonable $12 million for the 2017 season, according to Spotrac.

The Red Sox wouldn’t have to move a blue-chip prospect in return for Frazier, but one major league piece and two lower level prospects would do.

David Freese

At first, David Freese seems like a random option for the Red Sox to consider. The Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman is hitting a modest .249 with just six home runs and 25 RBI on the year.

However, he’d come cheap.

He’s making just $6.25 million this season and $4.25 million next season, when he will become a free agent.

His .729 OPS and 0.9 WAR are stats that teams will be willing to take a chance on.

Freese would be a valuable addition for the Red Sox in terms of literal price and trade price. It would probably just take a prospect or two for the team to acquire him.

As the Pirates continue to slide, the likelihood of Freese being dealt increases.

While his numbers won’t jump off the page, he’s a solid player that will bring some consistency to the third base position for Boston.