The Boston Red Sox figure to be active ahead of the MLB trade deadline, but many don’t know which direction they will go between buying and selling.
The Red Sox are within striking distance of an American League East Division title, sitting 6.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays entering Tuesday. Boston is also in great shape in the American League Wild Card standings, sitting two games behind the Seattle Mariners for the final spot and riding a four-game winning streak.
While that points to a team that will do everything they can to improve, they’ve also sent mixed signals, such as the trade that sent Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. It sets up an intriguing storyline as July 31 inches closer, but the Red Sox could be nudged in one direction thanks to a National League club aiming to make a big decision of their own.
Red Sox Could Capitalize on Potential Rockies Teardown
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported on Tuesday morning that the Colorado Rockies are entertaining the thought of a front office shakeup in the near future. The Rockies’ 21-70 record suggests that’s a great idea, as they’re on pace to surpass the 2024 Chicago White Sox (41-121) for the worst single-season record in MLB history. It could also impact their plans at the trade deadline.
"They plan to be more open-minded at this deadline, entertaining offers for third baseman Ryan McMahon, right-hander Germán Marquez and reliever Jake Bird, among others, according to a source briefed on the club’s plans, Rosenthal wrote. More open-minded, though, is not good enough. The Rockies need to be completely open-minded, willing to trade anyone and everyone."
Rosenthal noted that the chances are “remote” that the Rockies general manager will be fired or reassigned before this week’s MLB Draft or the trade deadline. But it shouldn’t stop the Red Sox from scrounging through the wreckage. The issue is that the Rockies’ roster is as bad as one would expect from a team with a .231 win percentage, yet there’s one target that makes sense.
McMahon is one name on the trade block that could make sense for Boston despite a lousy season. The 30-year-old is hitting .213/.314/.377 with 12 homers, 26 RBI and a National League-high 114 strikeouts and his significant splits, hitting .216/.303/.362 lifetime away from Coors Field. But while he’s plied his trade at third base, the Red Sox could see him as a short-term solution to their first base problem.
The black hole at first base has turned into one of Boston’s biggest storylines this season. Devers didn’t want to play there before being shipped to San Francisco. Things got worse when Triston Casas suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Abraham Toro and company have done nothing to fix the issue, and Boston needs someone not only for the rest of this season, but also next season if Casas isn’t ready to return by Opening Day.
Rockies IF Ryan McMahon Should Be Red Sox Target Ahead of Trade Deadline
The Red Sox have been connected to Cleveland Guardians first baseman Carlos Santana as a trade target, but he’s only signed to a one-year deal and has a line (.232/.325/.358) comparable to McMahon’s this season. The free agent market also includes Josh Naylor and Paul Goldschmidt and could also include Pete Alonso and Rhys Hoskins if they opt-out of their contracts, but the problem is Boston needs someone right now.
McMahon could be the best of both worlds. While he’s not lighting the world on fire at the plate, he could be a steady veteran who could hold down the position through the end of the year. He’s also under contract for $12 million next season, which could be affordable insurance for Casas.
It’s unlikely the Rockies will want much for a player they’ve been looking to dump, and Boston may benefit more from an under-the-radar move than a big-summer blockbuster. It would likely draw the frustration of Red Sox fans, but McMahon is a player who could make sense.