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MLB Trade Deadline: One move every team should make

By Hans Themistode

Jun 30, 2021; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (left) takes relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (right) out of the game against the Los Angeles Angels during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 30, 2021; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (left) takes relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (right) out of the game against the Los Angeles Angels during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sonny Gray
Sonny Gray (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

Must make trades for each American League East team: Boston Red Sox

Trade idea: Acquire Sonny Gray

The Boston Red Sox are a well-oiled machine. From just about everywhere, they find a way to shine. They rank top three in batting average, runs batted in, hits and saves.

In short, it’s going to be nearly impossible to knock them off once the postseason comes around. The rise of the Red Sox comes as a major surprise considering that they gave up arguably the best player in the league last season in Mookie Betts who is still dominating with the LA Dodgers. Even more surprising, the Red Sox are without their ace, Chris Sale, who continues to rehab from Tommy John surgery.

With their special lefty not on the mound, the Red Sox have turned to other options but they haven’t been stellar. Nathan Eovaldi has stepped into Sale’s role and although he’s been solid, sporting an ERA just above 3.40, he isn’t exactly an ace.

Grabbing a virtually unhittable pitcher is difficult as teams hate giving them up but if the Red Sox can simply grab another very good arm that should do the trick. To help, the Red Sox should take a hard look at Sonny Gray from the Cincinnati Reds.

For the entirety of his career, Gray has hovered around an ERA in the low 3.00. He did, however, fall apart with the Yankees and their championship expectations in 2017 and 2018. His ERA ballooned to almost 5.00. Still, Gray has put together three strong years with Cincinnati, including an ERA of 2.87 last season. Gray isn’t a number one option but neither is Eovaldi. If the Red Sox can get their hands on him and get a healthy Chris Sale, they can start etching their names into that World Series trophy right now.

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