3 Bold Red Sox Trade Deadline Predictions

Reese McGuire Is No Longer On The Roster

This one is bold.

McGuire began the season well, to the tune of a .760 OPS through April. As the team's lefty-hitting catcher, he started not infrequently, and provided legitimate value to the Red Sox through the early stages of the season. Since then, however, he's stumbled; he has two extra-base hits since the end of April, and the 29-year-old is just 12 for his last 72. Yes, he's a steady backstop, but his arm is poor, and his waffling bat makes it difficult to pencil him into lineups with much confidence.

The good news is the Red Sox have an internal replacement at the ready. Meet Mickey Gasper: a 28-year-old former Yankee prospect who came over via the 2023 Rule 5 draft. Gasper has absolutely raked in the minors; he has a career .827 OPS across all levels, and a .952 across AA and AAA ball this season. In addition, the switch-hitting Gasper simply refuses to strike out, notching just 29 strikeouts across 210 ABs this season. For context, he's walked 37 times, leaving a K% hovering around an alien 11%.

Gasper's defense isn't anything to write home about, but he rarely makes errors and has shown at least some ability to cut down base-stealers (16% CS through all levels). His switch-hitting and capable defense make him an ideal candidate to replace McGuire.

But why now? For starters, Gasper's earned a chance; his stats in the minors are eye-popping. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, Worcester needs a vacancy at catcher; with top prospect Kyle Teel knocking on the door of a promotion to AAA, they need to open up a spot somehow. With one transaction, the Red Sox can rid themselves of a below-average catcher in McGuire, give Gasper his opportunity, and clear a pathway for Teel to develop at the next level. Don't be surprised if McGuire doesn't survive July and August.

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