There are only a few days left until this year's MLB trade deadline, and even though the Boston Red Sox already made a move (even if it might not look like it for the rest of the season), they should continue to be aggressive.
This Red Sox team is truly capable of making the playoffs and potentially surprising some people. They have an elite starting rotation with a solid mix of valuable vets (Ranger Suarez, Sonny Gray) and young contributors (Payton Tolle, Jake Bennett), and they have a fantastic bullpen and an improving offense.
There is suddenly a lot to like about the Red Sox and what they have going for them. But at this point, they are likely one more move or two away from legitimately establishing themselves as real contenders, particularly an offensive-minded infielder. Fortunately for them, there may be one attainable on the market.
The Red Sox should pursue a trade for Otto Lopez
Boston has been linked to Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez recently, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.
"The Boston Red Sox are searching for a shortstop, and one name that has come up in conversations is the Miami Marlins' Otto Lopez, who was part of the National League All-Star team earlier this month. ... Lopez is a contact hitter, which would make him a fit for the sort of player Craig Breslow has targeted in the past. The 27-year-old leads the majors with a .331 batting average, has 22 steals and is regarded as a positive personality," Olney wrote.
And it's easy to see the appeal.
The 27-year-old earned All-Star honors for the first time in his career this year, and through 105 games, he is batting .329 with a .853 OPS to go along with nine home runs, 50 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases (he also leads the majors with 138 hits and 27 doubles).
Acquiring Lopez would cost a pretty penny for the Red Sox, given his age and season, but it's at least something they should look into. He's not the power hitter Curtis Mead has been this year, but he can still provide tremendous offensive value and would greatly bolster Boston's lineup.
Red Sox can look to make a trade happen elsewhere
Lopez would be a fantastic acquisition for the Red Sox, but he's not their only option.
Boston has also been linked to players like CJ Abrams, Jeremy Peña, and Zach Neto. All of these players, along with Lopez, would be tremendous gets for the team.
Regardless of how it ends up happening, the Red Sox need to make another trade by this year's deadline if they want to take it to that next level and solidify themselves as real contenders.
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