The Boston Red Sox are in the market for a big bat in the outfield or at first base, and that could mean a trade to move center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr.
Jackie Bradley Jr. is amazing in center field for the Boston Red Sox, but his time in Fenway Park may be coming to an end.
The Red Sox need a power bat, and while they may look for one at first base, it could come in the form of an outfielder as well. If that’s the case, Boston would need to move on from one of their current outfielders. Jackie Bradley Jr. is the logical choice to move here, even though he has a very team-friendly contract.
Boston, it seems, would want to hold on to Mookie Betts in right field, and young star Andrew Benintendi could certainly roam in center field for the Sox. The new acquisition in the outfield could play in front of the Green Monster in left field. J.D. Martinez is the top-choice for Boston this offseason, and his bat would be an instant improvement for the Red Sox lineup. Boston would have to trade JBJ, and these are some of the places I believe he could end up.
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners could be a really strong option for a trade involving Jackie Bradley Jr. Boston could use some help in the bullpen, and Seattle has a few to spare. Of course, this trade only works in the Red Sox favor if they already have a new outfielder lined up.
In this scenario, the Red Sox would receive two relievers for the bullpen, while also dropping Rusney Castillo’s contract on Seattle. There is nowhere for the Red Sox to play Castillo in the outfield anytime soon with Benintendi, Betts, and whichever new outfielder signs with Boston. His contract is massive, and he could benefit from a change of scenery. This deal only works for Boston if the Mariners take on most, or all, of Castillo’s contract.
Oakland Athletics
Boston wants bullpen arms, but a utility infielder could be just as important, with Dustin Pedroia down for a few months. Jed Lowrie could fill the utility role for the Red Sox, filling in at any position when needed.
The Red Sox could also look to add a strong reliever in this deal. They have the advantage of Bradley’s team-friendly contract, so they can ask for a bit more. Reliever Santiago Casilla would be the key addition in this deal for Boston. Last season, Casilla had a 4.27 ERA in 59 innings pitched. That’s unusually high, as his career average is a 3.30 ERA and he had a 1.70 just three years ago. The 37-year old Casilla could be on the tail end of his career, but I do believe he could provide 50-60 innings of relief each year for at least the next two seasons.
Lowrie, who was with Boston from 2008 through 2011, could be a nice addition in the deal. He hit .277 with 14 home runs and 69 RBI in 153 games in 2017. Those numbers aren’t great, but he wouldn’t be an everyday player for the Red Sox.
Texas Rangers
This deal I feel, would upset a lot of Boston Red Sox fans. Boston would receive an aging reliever and infielder in exchange for their young star. Still, the deal would help Boston make a World Series run in 2018 and maybe 2019.
Matt Bush, the first overall pick in the 2004 draft, would become a key member of the Red Sox bullpen. He finished 2017 with a 3.78 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 52.1 innings of work for the Rangers. Bush could be the reliever to bridge the gap between starters and the back end of the bullpen and Craig Kimbrel. Bush had his issues with the law and did not make his major league debut until 2016 at age 30. In 2018, he’ll turn 32 but he should be relatively fresh. Boston would hope he could return to the 2.48 ERA he had in his first season.
Philip Gosselin would fill a Brock Holt or Eduardo Nunez type role. Still, under 30, he’d have something left to give. He isn’t a great hitter, but he does play solid defense. Gosselin is not the type of player you’d want on the field every day, but he can be a solid defensive replacement on rest days for some infielders. Still, this is the deal I would least want to happen.
Miami Marlins
This is the trade most Boston Red Sox supporters would love to see happen. Instead of signing a free agent like J.D. Martinez in the outfield, Boston could instead trade for superstar slugger Giancarlo Stanton.
To make this trade, the Red Sox would have to give up some key prospects, so I’m including third baseman Michael Chavis and relief pitcher Jalen Beeks. Both would one day be contributors for the Red Sox, but if they want to win now, Giancarlo Stanton is worth this price tag. In 2017, Stanton hit 59 home runs and brought in 139 RBI. He’s an absolute monster at the plate.
Stanton is also under contract for a long time, even though he has an opt-out option after the 2020 season. If he opts-in though, he’d be in a Red Sox uniform through 2028. The Red Sox could have this power hitter in their lineup for the next 11 seasons! Make this deal Boston!
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The Red Sox have plenty of options this offseason, and we know Dave Dombrowski is willing to spend, so it will be interesting to see what moves they make. Could they sign J.D. Martinez and trade JBJ? Or do they trade JBJ in a deal for Stanton? They also could hold on to Bradley Jr. and add a power bat at first base like Eric Hosmer or Logan Morrison. The options are nearly endless.