Potential Red Sox trade deadline targets

Author Alex Barth

July 15th, 2021 6:15 AM

After two years as sellers or non-factors on July 31, the Red Sox should be major players when the MLB Trade Deadline rolls around this year.

Coming out of the All-Star break, the Red Sox lead the AL East and are tied for the most wins in the American League. With no team separating themselves from the pack, it’s not unrealistic to believe that with a few strategic moves, they would come away from the deadline as the AL favorites. 

A blockbuster deal is always a possibility, but two or three smaller moves may be enough. Take the 2018 Red Sox, who were in a similar spot at this time of the year, as an example. They traded middle-to-low ranked prospects for Nathan Eovaldi and Steve Pearce, who both played key roles in that team’s title run. 

Ironically, this year’s team has similar needs – a first baseman and starting pitcher. Corner outfielder is a secondary need, and adding a bullpen arm never hurts when a team is in contention. 

Another thing to keep in mind as the deadline approaches is Chaim Bloom often talks about keeping his team’s long-term outlook in mind. Back in May, he told 98.5’s Tony Massarotti the goal is to build a sustainable roster that can win multiple titles, and not selling out for a single ring. While most team’s look for value at the deadline in players with expiring contracts, don’t be surprised if the Red Sox target guys with remaining team control, who can make an impact beyond the 2021 season.

Which players might be available that fit the team’s needs? Here are some names to keep in mind, from conservative moves to would-be blockbuster deals.

• 1B C.J. Cron, Rockies

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  Bloom has traded for Cron before - he acquired him for a player to be named later while with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018. Could he pull off a similar move again?
  
  Cron should be a relatively affordable get, but would be an upgrade over Bobby Dalbec at first base. In 74 games for Colorado this year he’s hitting .254 with 12 home runs. While his strikeout rate - 22.2 percent - isn’t great, it would be a noticeable improvement over Dalbec’s 36.8 percent.
  
  Financially, Cron would be an easy fit. He’s making $1 million this year, and is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.

• OF Robbie Grossman, Tigers

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  If the Red Sox want more pure outfield help, either in case of injury or to ease the transition for Jarren Duran, Grossman would be a logical choice. The 31-year-old is hitting .226 this year, but was surging in early July before the All-Star break. Over his last nine games, he’s batting .280 with a pair of home runs.
  
  Grossman is also under contract for 2022 at $5 million, which will add to his value. Still, it shouldn’t take more than a mid-level prospect to bring in the 31-year-old, if that’s the route Bloom wants to go.

• 1B/RF Garrett Cooper, Marlins

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  Although he has two more years of team control through arbitration, Cooper is a player the last-place Marlins could look to move in the coming weeks. He’s reportedly unhappy with his playing time, and Miami may be better off with prospects than the 30-year-old’s current contract.
  
  Although he’s not playing every day, Cooper has managed to put up career-best numbers so far in 2021. He’s hitting .291 with nine home runs and 32 RBIs in 67 games. His .867 OPS would be a personal best if he keeps it up through the end of the season. Defensively, he’s played both first base and right field.
  
  Cooper would be an ideal balance pickup for the Red Sox. He’s hardly a bargain option, but shouldn’t cost an elite prospect either. Adding Cooper would fill multiple needs, while also improving the team in the future due to his contract situation.
• 1B Carlos Santana, Royals

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  Santana has been a popular name to link to the Red Sox over the last few weeks. While he certainly would be one of the better options to play first base, he’ll also come at a cost.
  
  The Royals made Santana a key offseason acquisition this winter, signing him to a two-year, $17.5 million back-loaded contract. Would they be willing to walk away from that investment after just half a season? Would the Red Sox be willing to pay - both in terms of prospects and money - for a 35-year-old who is hitting just .229 in his last 150 games?

• 1B/COF Joey Gallo, Rangers

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  We’re now in the ‘really going for it’ options. Gallo has improved his walk rate this year - he actually leads the league at the break with 72 free passes - which has made him a more dangerous hitter. His swing would play incredibly well at Fenway Park, and he’d add some serious punch to the Red Sox lineup.
  
  Defensively, Gallo is a Gold Glove right fielder, but has also played left and the corner infield spots. Taking him out of right feels like a waste, but if Hunter Renfroe says hot it would be hard to play Gallo anywhere but first.
  
  Trading for Gallo would make the Red Sox one of the top spenders at the deadline. The 27-year-old has one more year of team control via arbitration. Texas will likely end up trading him at some point, but he’ll probably be worth more this offseason. The Red Sox would truly have to make it worth the Rangers’ while to move him now, and may need to sign him to a long-term extension to justify what they give up to get him.

• 1B Anthony Rizzo, Cubs

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  Most of the players on this list are on last place teams, and their availability shouldn’t change between now and the deadline. However, the three Cubs players are in more of a grey area. Chicago is still somewhat in the NL Wild Card mix, but they struggled going into the break including dropping eight of their last 10 games. A quick rebound could put the team back in contention, but for now they’re sellers.
  
  As for Rizzo himself, the 31-year-old is in the final year of his contract, hitting .247 with 10 home runs in 79 games. Originally a Red Sox draft pick who was traded to San Diego in the Adrian Gonzalez deal in 2010, Rizzo would be an ideal fit at first base if the price is right. That’s a big if though - he’ll be one of the top players on the market if the Cubs make him available.
• CIF/OF Kris Bryant, Cubs

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  We know Bloom and the Red Sox have had interest in Bryant in the past - they reportedly discussed a deal with the Cubs last summer. Now in a more realistic position to make such a deal, could those talks come to fruition?
  
  Bryant has seen a resurgence after a down 2020 season. The 2021 All-Star is hitting .271 with 16 home runs, and has at least 10 starts at five different positions defensively. Even as a rental, he’ll likely be one of the most expensive deadline options if the Cubs make him available. That being said, he’d be a perfect fit for the Red Sox right now, price aside.

• SP German Marquez, Rockies

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  There’s some speculation as to whether or not the Rockies will actually deal Marquez despite being well out of playoff contention. The 26-year-old has three more seasons of team control on a relatively team-friendly deal.
  
  However, the value for Marquez right now is tremendous. Over his last five starts, he’s 5-0 with a .075 ERA, and opponents are hitting .103 against him. If the Rockies want to cash in on that hot streak and replenish their farm system, they’d likely be able to do so. This would be one of the more aggressive moves the Red Sox could make.

• SP Drew Smyly, Braves

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  At this time last week, the Braves weren’t sellers. Ronald Acuna’s injury could change that, and make Smyly available.
  
  After a rough start to the season, the 32-year-old has started to find his groove, with a 4-0 record and 1.61 ERA over his last four starts. After allowing 15 home runs in his first 51 innings this season, he’s allowed just one in his last 27.1.
  
  Smyly would give the Red Sox a veteran lefty arm with playoff experience, who can pitch both in the rotation and out of the bullpen. He’s currently on a one-year deal, so cost shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
• SP Dylan Bundy, Angels

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  Bundy looked to be turning the corner in 2020, but hasn’t been able to continue that momentum this year, boasting a 6.68 ERA. He’s shown promise in the past, but at 28-years-old the window for maximizing his potential is closing.
  
  If the Red Sox think a change of scenery could unlock Bundy’s best stuff, it’s worth making the call to LA. He’s on a one-year deal, and would likely come cheap. However, he likely shouldn’t be their first option.

• RP Craig Kimbrel, Cubs

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  There may be no more potentially fun storyline at the deadline than a Craig Kimbrel reunion in Boston. After a few shaky years in Chicago, the 33-year-old appears to be back to being nearly unhittable, as he was during his peak with the Red Sox. In 33 appearances this year, he has a 1.11 ERA and 0.663 WHIP.
  
  Kimbrel is the top relief pitcher on the market, and he won’t come cheap. There’s also a vesting option in his contract that could lead to another year of team control in 2022. Yet if the Red Sox were able to snag him from Chicago, he could be the final piece in giving them the best bullpen in baseball.

• RP Daniel Hudson, Nationals

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  If the Red Sox want to add another late-inning reliever but can’t make things work with Kimbrel, Hudson could be the answer. In 25 games as a set-up man for the Nationals this year, he has a 2.63 ERA.
  
  Hudson is on an expiring contract, as is Washington closer Brad Hand. It will be tough for the Nats to pay both guys this winter, so moving Hudson allows them to get something in return instead of having him walk, while opening up the money to keep Hand.
• RP Raisel Iglesias, Angels

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  The Red Sox have been linked to Islesias in the past, during his time with the Cincinnati Reds. Now with the Angels, could the Red Sox try to nab him again?
  
  Iglesias is another rental option, and should be a bit cheaper than the previous two. In 37 outings for the Halos he has a 3.46 ERA and 0.864 WHIP in 41.2 innings. Any reliever the Red Sox are going to add will need to be at least above average, given the talent that’s already in place - any ‘just another arm’ kind of guy may not be able to earn the innings. Iglesias would slot nicely into the current group.

• RP Richard Rodriguez, Pirates

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  If the Pirates are looking at a longer-term rebuild, they may be willing to move on from their closer for the right offer. Rodriguez has a 2.29 ERA in 34 appearances this year, and a WHIP under 1.000 for the second straight season.
  
  Rodriguez would represent another long-term move by the Red Sox. He’s 31-years-old, but has two more years of team control through arbitration. He’ll be costly, but the acquisition would benefit the Sox beyond 2021.

This year’s MLB trade deadline will fall on July 30, due to day games being scheduled on the 31st, which is a Saturday. What kind of moves will the Red Sox make between now and then? And how many? We’ll see how Chaim Bloom’s first real deadline as the Red Sox’ chief baseball officer plays out.

MORE: Meet the 2021 Red Sox draft class

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].

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