Red Sox Make Frustrating Concession in Early Trade Deadline Proposal

The Boston Red Sox's season has begun on a roller coaster. After starting the year hot on the West Coast, they returned home and continued to struggle to win at Fenway. Oh, and everyone is hurt.

Despite the adversity that continues to pile on seemingly on a nightly basis, the Red Sox are still above .500. However, they are three games back and in last place in a division that shows no signs of mercy. With that, it's hard not to think about what the future holds.

We are not even a month into the regular season schedule; just over ten percent of games have been played. Definitively declaring teams buyers or sellers at this point would be irresponsible (unless you're the Chicago White Sox—sell away).

However, the team's current trajectory has some believing they know the Sox's fate come the end of July. The names they believe will be on the trade block are very telling.

Chris Martin and Tyler O'Neil Projected Trade Pieces For Red Sox

ESPN's David Schoenfield made his best prediction of what each of MLB's 30 teams will be offering other clubs at the trade deadline (subscription required). He believes the American League East will be too tough to manage for the Boston Red Sox, and they will ultimately be sellers at the trade deadline. He offered up two names: reliever Chris Martin and slugger Tyler O'Neil.

Martin got touched up by the Baltimore Orioles last Wednesday. But besides that appearance, he has been excellent out of the bullpen for the Sox. O'Neil has been scorching hot to start his Boston career. He holds a .313 average, and his 1.209 OPS is the best in baseball.

Should both players continue to shine while the team continues to struggle, they are certainly two names you can expect to be on the move in July. This will only make Red Sox Nation wonder why more moves weren't made this past offseason, as promised, to be buyers rather than seeing top talent be sent away.

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