Boston Red Sox: Two players who could be dealt in blockbuster trades
The Boston Red Sox are entering an intriguing offseason with big decisions involving their star players so here are two players that could be dealt in the winter.
The Boston Red Sox might be the most interesting teams going into the offseason, as they currently don’t have a GM and they have a sense of urgency after missing the postseason a year after winning the World Series.
The front office might want to relinquish some contracts and get back some assets for players that only have one remaining year on their respective contracts.
Based on last year’s performance and expiring contracts, the expectations won’t be as high but that doesn’t mean that there shouldn’t be an expectation to contend.
Boston went 84-78 in part to a very slow start out of the gate, which dug a big hole that they were unable to get out of that resulted in a 3rd place finish behind the Yankees and Rays.
It is going to be interesting to see if the Red Sox decide to go for it again next year or start what could be a re-tooling process. But I am not so sure how happy Red Sox fans would be if they learn that their team is not going to try its best to play in October next season.
With a lot of possibilities and a lot of rumors that will be swirling around the ballclub this offseason, here are two players that are most likely to be dealt this winter in blockbuster deals…
Mookie Betts
As I wrote, Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts is going to be one of the hottest topics this winter in terms of if he will be traded or not.
He has one year remaining on his contract, and the Red Sox could be thinking about tearing it down and beginning a small rebuild, which would obviously result in John Henry not wanting to give Mookie Betts north of $300 million.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and Chicago Cubs all failed in making the World Series this year, and they all wish to get over the hump and Betts could be the missing piece.
The Dodgers have been unable to get to the top of the mountain in part because their MVP Cody Bellinger has struggled mightily in producing on the biggest stage. Adding Betts would take the pressure off him and could allow him to flourish hitting behind Betts.
The Braves are most likely going to be without Nick Markakis next season, as he is likely to retire so Betts could slide not just right into the middle of the lineup, but into right field at SunTrust park as well.
And finally the Cubs are in a weird position where they want to contend but also want to get back to being younger and Betts could be a great fit. They could trade Kyle Schwarber, who has had offensive success at Wrigley, to Boston where he could slide right into a DH spot if J.D. Martinez leaves or shifts to right field.
The next trade candidate could be highly sought after for his tremendous defensive ability…
Jackie Bradley Jr.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Jackie Bradley Jr. is easily one of the best defensive outfielders in the game, but he has struggled at the plate which is a reason to why the Boston Red Sox might want to go in another direction.
He would be shopped by the Red Sox for payroll concerns, as he is projected to make $11 million in arbitration, according to MLB Trade Rumors.
While he hasn’t consistently produced at the plate, there is some interest in Bradley.
The Cincinnati Reds reportedly had discussions about the center fielder last offseason because they don’t have a stable center field situation.
Nick Senzel, who is supposed to be a second baseman, was their center fielder for the majority of the season so I think the Reds would much rather have a Gold Glove center fielder manning Great American Ballpark.
The Diamondbacks could also use Bradley, as Ketel Marte should be playing second base alongside Nick Ahmed.
Next. MLB Teams that will be buyers ahead of 2020. dark
There will be suitors for Bradley if he were to be made available, as teams are going to be looking for a guy who can at worst be a late-game substitution.