Call to the pen
Fansided

MLB Trade Deadline: Previewing the AL East

By Jason Evans

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 06: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles bats in an interleague MLB baseball game against the New York Mets on June 6, 2018 at CitiField in the Queens borough of New York City. Orioles won 1-0. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 06: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles bats in an interleague MLB baseball game against the New York Mets on June 6, 2018 at CitiField in the Queens borough of New York City. Orioles won 1-0. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images) /
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MLB trade deadline
SEATTLE, WA – JUNE 17: Hector Velazquez #76 of the Boston Red Sox gets a high five from Sandy Leon #3 after closing out the game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 17, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. The Boston Red Sox beat the Seattle Mariners 9-3. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) /

Boston Red Sox

MLB Trade Deadline Status: Buyer

The Boston Red Sox are right there at the top of the division with the Yankees. J.D. Martinez has been the best off-season free agent signing and Mookie Betts is having his own MVP caliber season. On the mound, Chris Sale is his usual Cy Young caliber self. Rick Porcello has rebounded and David Price has quit playing Fortnite.

In the bullpen, Craig Kimbrel has been his usual lockdown self, while Joe Kelly and Matt Barnes have been steady in front of him.

The Red Sox have dealt with their own injuries. Drew Pomeranz is hurt. Dustin Pedroia has barely played. Taylor Thornberg and Carson Smith were supposed to be key cogs to the bullpen but both are hurt as well.

What they could target:

The Red Sox don’t have the system they once had due to trades and players being on their roster. Pitching will be a target. Any starting pitcher or reliever that could be out there could be a target to not only upgrade their roster, but to keep them away from the Yankees.

Offensively, second base could be a target. Eduardo Nunez could be better served as a super utility player. Centerfield could be an area of interest as well. Jackie Bradley Jr. is hitting under .200 with an OPS under .600.

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