Who Will Stay and Who Will Go? Red Sox Trade Deadline Edition
The trade deadline comes to us after a very “long” (for Red Sox fans!) season. With the Red Sox, it’s very obvious that this is going to be a telling weekend. Chaim Bloom is going to be active at the deadline, we’ve heard it before.
Chaim Bloom on Boston Red Sox trade deadline: ‘Wouldn’t put anything out of the question because we are having very active conversations' https://t.co/5K2ANgHJBa
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) August 26, 2020
The dominoes have already started falling with Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree to Philadelphia. But who could be next to go? Let’s take a look at a few names and determine if they’re staying or going.
Mitch Moreland: GOING
Listen, I love Mitch Moreland. The guy has been hitting well the past two seasons when healthy and is a solid first baseman. But that’s the thing. His value won’t be higher right now. Trade him for a prospect to a team that’s contending. Moreland probably won’t be back in 2021. So why not trade him now for something instead of holding onto him for a lost season, and then lose him for nothing? If the Red Sox are smart, Mitch Moreland is gone by Monday. Thanks for the memories Mitchy Four Bags!
Christian Vazquez: STAYING
Christian Vazquez is one of the best defensive catchers in the game. His offense has improved vastly over the past two seasons. Also, he’s gotten better at calling games behind the plate. Unless you get blown away by an offer, keep Vazquez in Boston.
JD Martinez: UNDECIDED
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. It all depends on the route Chaim Bloom wants to go. If he wants to retool, try to keep JD in the middle of the lineup. If you want to go into a complete rebuild, then get some prospects and make the trade worthwhile. I personally think you keep JD if you’re serious about competing in 2021. But we have to trust Chaim on this one.
Jackie Bradley Jr: GOING
This has been a guy I’ve wanted gone for years. It’s nothing personal against JBJ. He’s very sound in center field and has a cannon for an arm. I just can’t take the inconsistency at the plate anymore. He’s also an unrestricted free agent after the season anyway. Free up 11 million dollars that you can sign some pitching in the offseason. Maybe even sign a guy like George Springer in the off-season to replace Bradley Jr. But that’s another story.
Xander Bogaerts: STAYING!!!
I don’t know why I’m wasting time with this one. Jon Heyman reported there was a “20%” chance that Bogaerts gets traded at the deadline. If you trade Bogaerts, you’re going full rebuild. I don’t care and you can’t change my mind. If the payroll was middle of the pack, fine. But this is the Boston Red Sox we’re talking about here. This team consistently has one of the highest payrolls in baseball. You’re expected to contend every year. You’re not doing that long term without Xander Bogaerts. Give him the “C” on his chest already and let’s get away from this thought: PLEASE!!
In Conclusion
The Boston Red Sox have a lot of decisions to make before Monday. This team could look very different after the weekend concludes. Hopefully, the core sticks around for another run. But until that time comes, let’s see what Chaim Bloom has up his sleeve!
-Al Nahigian (@BigAl2793)
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Feat. Image courtesy of masslive.com/