How will Dave Dombrowski and the Red Sox approach the trade deadline?

The MLB Trade Deadline approaches with the Boston Red Sox in need of a significant move to put them in place for late season contention.

The Boston Red Sox wrapped up their 3-game home series with the Kansas City Royals by dropping the series finale 5-3.

Lefty Drew Pomeranz gave Boston a solid outing, pitching 6.2 innings of work while allowing 1 run off 7 hits and a walk with 4 strikeouts (3.46 ERA). Boston appeared to have the upper hand late in the game, leading the Royals 3-1 to enter the top of the 8th inning.

The turning point of yesterday’s game came when Boston’s bullpen took over, following a strong start by Pomeranz.

Workman finished off the 7th inning after Pomeranz was taken out, recording an out in relief.

Then came the 8th inning as the Kansas City Royals offense rallied back, beginning with an error by Red Sox shortstop, Xander Bogaerts. The misplay was Bogaerts’ 11th error of the season, 1 shy of his total last year and it was crucial to the outcome.

Following the error, the Royals went on to score 4 runs and take a 5-3 lead.

Trade Deadline

Several potential options such as Pat Neshek and Justin Wilson have been already been dealt following their reported links to the Red Sox.

The latest reports claim that Boston is monitoring New York Mets reliever, Addison Reed. This season Reed has posted an ERA of 2.57 with 19 saves and 48 strikeouts in 49.0 innings pitched this season.

Another remaining option is Minnesota Twins relief pitcher, Brandon Kintzler who the Red Sox along with Diamondbacks, have recently expressed interest in.

Kintzler has appeared in 45 games this season for the Twins, posting a 2.78 ERA with 27 strikeouts and 28 saves in 45.1 total innings pitched.

So while Dave Dombrowski and the Red Sox have elected to stand pat and not pull the trigger on various bullpen options, there are still options remaining for Boston in the trade market.

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Red Sox Power

Another obvious issue which has not been addressed is Boston’s lack of power presence in the lineup.

The Red Sox remain dead last in the American League with a team total of 104 home runs and 3rd to last in MLB, just ahead of the Pittsburgh Pirates(98) and San Francisco Giants(81).

They are however eighth in the league in batting average, with a team average of .260 this season.

Boston has not been linked to any significant lineup changes this season, but don’t rule out the possibility of Dombrowski rolling the dice to boost up the power in this Red Sox lineup.

Next: Red Sox interested in Mets reliever Addison Reed

The Red Sox remain 0.5 a game behind the New York Yankees for 1st in the American League East Division. With under 24 hours until the MLB Trade Deadline, the question rises in what will Dave Dombrowski and the Red Sox do?