MLB Trade Deadline: 5 realistic Boston Red Sox trade possibilities

The Boston Red Sox sit atop the AL East as the MLB Trade Deadline approaches, but there is still plenty of room for improvement.

Pablo Sandoval is finished in a Boston Red Sox uniform, so third base is now a clear need as the MLB Trade Deadline approaches. Boston should also look to add help in the bullpen.

Here, I give my thoughts on five trades that the Red Sox could make before the deadline. Boston has been linked to these players at some point this season, so I’m not pulling anything out of thin air. The Red Sox have a chance to contend for a World Series title this season, as Chris Sale leads the way with David Price and Drew Pomeranz following close behind. Starting pitching is not a huge concern, though they could always look to improve there.

The Red Sox bullpen has not been terrible at all this year, but we all know that pitching wins games in the postseason, so you can never have enough depth.

Without further ado, here are 5 realistic trades that the Boston Red Sox could make.

5. 3B Yangervis Solarte (San Diego Padres)

While Boston would like to add a bigger star, like Todd Frazier, Yangervis Solarte could step into the third base role for the Red Sox. FanRag‘s Jon Heyman named Solarte as a possibility as an under the radar target for Boston.

The 29-year old Solarte is hitting .268 for the San Diego Padres with 10 homers and 28 walks. In the field in 2017 Solarte has played most of his games at second base. He has appeared twice in the field at third base though.

Over his career, Solarte has played third 300 times, his most of any position. On the hot corner he has just 27 errors in 478 attempts.

Solarte would not just be a rental for the Sox. He’s under contract through 2020, with a salary of $4 million, $5.5 million and $8 million over the next three seasons. The affordability and remaining contract length should interest Boston, but those also mean they’d need to give up a bit more for him. Still, keep an eye on Solarte over the next couple of weeks.