Mazz: Red Sox should prioritize a right handed hitter at the deadline
The MLB trade deadline is approaching and the Boston Red Sox should be players at the deadline. On Monday’s Felger and Mazz, Mazz said the Red Sox should prioritize a right handed hitter over pitching at the deadline.
Mazz: I like the bat first. I think their vulnerability against left-handed pitching has become apparent. They can’t beat lefties.
Felger: Alex Speier writes…”over the course of the three games, several Red Sox shortcomings were exposed”… for example, against lefties the team went 11 for 56 with the slash line .196/.297/.375 and 21 strikeouts in 64 plate appearances. So again against lefties, is that right? Just this weekend? 56 at bats? I mean Paxton last night. Yeah, 11 for 56 against lefties this weekend, 21 strikeouts in 64 plate appearances, again hitting just .196. They have a 30% strikeout rate against left handers this year, easily the worst in baseball.
Mazz: Yeah. So look, this has been a problem all year long. This is why I say just because the deadline is at the end of the month, you don’t have to wait until the deadline to make a move. You’ve played four months, so played 2/3 of your season, and you haven’t been able to hit left-handed pitching. What is the freaking hang up? Like get moving. Get someone in here. Now look, I know they lost Trevor Story, but that happened early in the year. You’ve had plenty of time to go out and look for a right-handed bat. So, to me, I think it’s the bigger thing because I think the way the pitching works, you can kind of mix and match. A good manager can get you through there. I’m not telling you they don’t need pitching. Of course they do. But I think the right-handed bat is a bigger thing. Teams look at them and say, “well, we can beat them by throwing our lefties against them”. It’s like what righty in that lineup do you fear? Who do you fear? There isn’t a guy in that lineup that you say from the right-handed side really strikes fear in you and that has to change.
Listen to Felger and Mazz from 2-6 every Monday-Friday on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with hosts Mike Felger, Tony “Mazz” Massarotti, and Jim Murray “Big Jim”. You can listen live in the Sports Hub App and subscribe to their podcasts here. Follow @FelgerAndMazz on Twitter to keep up with the show!
Mazz's Tiers: Red Sox trade deadline acquisitions in the 2000's
Tier 1
NEW YORK – OCTOBER 20: Manager Terry Francona #47 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with Doug Mientkiewicz #13 after defeating the New York Yankees 10-3 to win game seven of the American League Championship Series on October 20, 2004 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City.(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
2004 – Doug Mientkiewicz and Orlando Cabrera acquired in a four team trade that sent Nomar Garciaparra to the Chicago Cubs
Tier 2
BOSTON – OCTOBER 17: Dave Roberts #31 of the Boston Red Sox steals second base while shortstop Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees applies the tag in the ninth inning during game four of the American League Championship Series on October 17, 2004 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
2004 – Dave Roberts acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers for a minor leaguer
2018 – Steve Pearce acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays for Santiago Espinal
2018 – Nathan Eovaldi acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays for Jalen Beeks
2021 – Kyle Schwarber acquired from the Washington Nationals for a minor leaguer
2009 – Victor Martinez acquired from the Detroit Tigers for Justin Masterson
Tier 3
Boston Red Sox batter Manny Ramirez touches the hands of fans after he hit the first of two home runs against Texas Rangers, Saturday, July 10, 2004. The Red Sox won 14-6 at Fenway Park in Boston. (Photo by J Rogash/Getty Images)
2013 – Jake Peavy acquired in a three team trade. Jose Iglesias was traded to the Detroit Tigers in the deal
2008 – Manny Ramirez traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a three team trade. Jason Bay was acquired by the Red Sox from the Pittsburgh Pirates
Tier 4
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 23: Jon Lester #31 of the Boston Red Sox tips his cap as he leaves the game in the eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during Game One of the 2013 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
2007 – Eric Gagne acquired from Texas Rangers for Kason Gabbard
2014 – Jon Lester traded to Oakland Athletics for Yoenis Cespedes
2014 – John Lackey traded to St. Louis Cardinals for Allen Craig and Joe Kelly
