The 2022 MLB trade deadline is a little over two weeks away and there is a lot of buzz surrounding the Boston Red Sox.
With their recent 1-6 skid against the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees, a lot of people are wanting them to be sellers at the trade deadline. With the way the Red Sox are currently limping into the All-star break, it isn’t out of the realm of possibilities.
Chaim Bloom is certainly going to be busy over these next few weeks. A lot of fans are curious to see what Bloom does over the next few weeks with this team. Some have even suggested that the Boston Red Sox could make a splash for Washington Nationals star outfielder Juan Soto. Obviously, it would be a haul to get Juan Soto to Boston. But that would be a cool trade to pull uff, wouldn’t it?
The Boston Red Sox aren’t a championship contender
But alas, that’s probably not going to be the case. Red Sox fans, we have to be realistic about the fact that this team could realistically be sellers at the deadline. If the Red Sox aren’t going to contend for a World Series title, then why are they going to go all-in at the trade deadline? It makes zero sense.
If the Boston Red Sox consider selling, there are three names in mind that they could consider trading. Fair warning fans, these are names you will not be happy with when you see them. But in the long-run, they could make sense for this Red Sox team. Here we go!
Boston Red Sox Trade Candidate No. 1: Xander Bogaerts
The Boston Red Sox should consider trading their big stars now. One of their biggest stars that can be up for a trade is shortstop Xander Bogaerts. This has been a question for quite sometime now.
Should the Red Sox consider trading Bogaerts if they can’t agree to a long-term extension with him?
A Xander Bogaerts trade at this point makes a lot of sense. You already have Trevor Story locked up for the next five years, so you have a replacement shortstop. Plus, the Red Sox took two shortstops in the MLB draft last night. I know those kids can be moved. But in the bigger picture, what does that say about the Red Sox plans for Bogaerts. News flash, there are none!
If you’re going to move on from Boogey, you might as well get something for him. Call the Nationals and see if Bogaerts could be the focal point of a blockbuster trade for Juan Soto. If that doesn’t work, call the Cardinals and see what they want for Bogaerts. Continue to get prospects or even get some Major League ready talent. The bottom line is you don’t want Bogaerts to walk for absolutely nothing.
Boston Red Sox Trade Candidate No. 2: J.D. Martinez
The second trade candidate that the Red Sox can consider trading at the trade deadline is J.D. Martinez. Again, the names don’t get any easier for Red Sox fans. But realistically, Martinez is a guy that Chaim Bloom can dangle around in trades.
Martinez is very marketable for a contending team. He is about to head to his fifth All-star game. Martinez is on the last year of his contact with the Red Sox. At the age of 34, I would be perpetually shocked if the Red Sox front office offered him another contract. Maybe a one or two year contract offer could be on the table. But anything three years or more will be coming from another team.
Plus, J.D. Martinez has another factor in his favor. The MLB now has the universal DH. That is 15 more opportunities for J.D Martinez to pursue. So the Red Sox will have many more suitors for Martinez’s service. It really feels like this is the final season that we will see Martinez in a Red Sox uniform. If you are truly in sell mode, you might as well see what you can get for the DH/outfielder. It’s hard to swallow as a Red Sox fan, but the trade might make a ton of sense.
Boston Red Sox Trade Candidate No. 3: Nathan Eovaldi
One name that might come as a bit of a surprise as a trade candidate is starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi.
Eovaldi is on the final year of his current contract with the Red Sox. So might it make sense to get rid of one of your better starting pitchers? If you’re in full sell mode, potentially!
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Eovaldi is a starting pitcher that a lot of teams would love to have down the stretch. Yes, he does have the problem with giving up the home run ball. But he still can give you anywhere from five to seven innings a start, every five days.
This is where Red Sox nostalgia comes into play. We all love what Nasty Nate did for the Boston Red Sox during their 2018 World Series run. Game three in the World Series? It’ll never be forgotten.
But this is 2022 and realistically, the Red Sox aren’t going to be winning a World Series title this year. If the Red Sox want to go full seller mode, Eovaldi is a trade candidate to strongly consider. There’s the injury risks that are still involved. But when healthy, Eovaldi’s stuff is some of the best that the MLB has seen. You might as well get some value from Eovaldi, if you can find a team that’ll want him!