Boston Red Sox should sell high on these two players
Sitting in last place in the American League East, it’s easy to say the Red Sox will be sellers. They are still hanging around in the Wild Card race, but in order to get into a playoff spot, they have to pass at least one team in their division and two other teams. Easier said than done.
Last season, Chaim Bloom sold at the trade deadline and he should again this season. Instead of waiting for the August 1 deadline, he has an opportunity to sell before the deadline and he has the chance to sell high on two players, pitcher James Paxton and centerfielder Adam Duvall.
Bloom took a risk signing Paxton, who has struggled to stay healthy in recent seasons, by signing him to a one-year, $10 million contract ahead of the 2022 season and the left-hander exercised his $4 million player option for 2023. With his injury history, his value will never be higher for Boston.
He was just named AL pitcher of the month for June after going 3-0 with a 1.74 ERA in 31 innings and 34 strikeouts. His best start was his final one on Friday (June 30) when he went 7.2 innings, scattering three hits and striking out seven in a 5-0 shutout of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Big month for Big Maple. pic.twitter.com/9uDtnKz6tO
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 3, 2023
Adam Duvall was signed to a one-year, $7 million contract last offseason to fill a void in center field. It was a very promising start to the season for Duvall as through the first nine games, he had four home runs and 13 RBI, but a wrist injury on April 9 in Detroit caused him to miss nearly two months. Since returning, he has not been the same hitter, but his defense remains on par.
Paxton and Duvall are veteran players that have been on the big stage of the playoffs before and would be a valuable assets to any contending team. Bloom has an opportunity to sell high on two veterans who really don’t have a future in Boston beyond 2023.