Red Sox's Chris Sale Broke Wrist While Riding Bike, Out for Season with Injury
Aug 9, 2022
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 17: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox leaves the field with a dislocated pinky finger after getting hit by a line drive from Aaron Hicks of the New York Yankees in the first inning at Yankee Stadium on July 17, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale will miss the remainder of the 2022 season after suffering an off-field injury.
The team announced that Sale broke his right (non-throwing) wrist Saturday while riding his bike and subsequently underwent surgery.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom provided details on the injury:
Bloom on Sale accident: Happened Saturday, right after Sale had finished throwing at Boston College. He jumped on a bike to grab lunch, hit something going down a hill, and flew off the bike.
The 33-year-old had undergone surgery July 18 after suffering a broken left pinky finger during his second start of the season against the New York Yankees. While the team didn't give a firm timetable for his return, it was expected that his recovery would take four to six weeks.
Sale missed the first three-plus months of the 2022 season after suffering a broken rib while training during the MLB lockout. He made his season debut against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 12, throwing five innings with no runs allowed, one walk and five strikeouts in a 3-2 loss.
In his next start against New York, the seven-time All-Star allowed two earned runs in the first inning before a 106 mph line drive off the bat of Aaron Hicks connected with his little finger.
"One look at this finger, I knew [it was broken] immediately," Sale said. "That feeling of just that kind of cold water rushing through your body when something like that happens. I soon as I hit the ground, I looked down, the finger is gone."
The native of Lakeland, Florida was once the ace of Boston's starting rotation, but he's been slowed by injuries in recent years. He missed the 2020 season because of Tommy John surgery and has pitched just 48.1 innings combined in 2021 and 2022.
Nick Pivetta and Nathan Eovaldi will continue to be the top two starters for a Red Sox team with fading playoff hopes, as they are last in the AL East with a 54-56 record.
Red Sox's Alex Cora Commits to Jarren Duran in CF Amid Struggles: 'We Trust Him'
Aug 7, 2022
Boston Red Sox's Jarren Duran cannot field an RBI double by New York Yankees' Anthony Rizzo during the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 9, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the team was committed to Jarren Duran despite the center fielder's ongoing struggles this season.
"He's our center fielder right now. We trust him," he said on NESN on Sunday. "This is a kid that's part of what we're trying to accomplish and we're going to keep rolling with him."
Durran had a tough Sunday in particular, with a pair of mistakes in the field and a confrontation with Kansas City Royals fans during Boston's 13-5 loss.
Jarren Duran is having an interesting 7th inning
Misplayed a ball, couldn't secure a fly ball, makes a diving catch and argues with some fans pic.twitter.com/w0MCSCnRtJ
Jarren Duran made back to back mistakes in CF where the ball bounced off his glove. Then made a diving catch. Now he appears to be yelling and pointing at Royals fans who it’s safe to assume were chirping at him. Alex Verdugo is holding him back.
Thus continued a difficult 2022 season for the 25-year-old, who was dropped to ninth in the batting order ahead of Sunday's game after largely serving as the leadoff hitter when he started.
For the season, Durran is hitting .225 with two homers, 12 RBI, 20 runs, seven stolen bases and a .650 OPS in 42 games. Over the last 30 days, he's hitting .139.
In many ways, Durran is an apt metaphor for the Red Sox themselves this season: talented but struggling mightily nonetheless. The Red Sox are 54-56 after Sunday's loss and find themselves in last place in the AL East, one season removed from a trip to the ALCS.
When the Houston Astros beat them in six games in that series, the Red Sox appeared poised to challenge for a World Series berth yet again in 2022, or at least for a playoff position. Instead, they find themselves in the basement of the loaded AL East.
Durran's recent struggles have contributed to Boston's fall from grace, though he's hardly the only culprit. But after two seasons of struggles, there are very real questions about whether he will have a place in the Red Sox's outfield beyond this season.
For now, Cora remains a believer.
Jackie Bradley Jr. Cut by Red Sox After Eric Hosmer Trade; Won World Series with BOS
Aug 4, 2022
BOSTON, MA - JULY 22: Jackie Bradley Jr. #19 of the Boston Red Sox runs after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on July 22, 2022 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
The Boston Red Sox have released outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., the team announced Thursday.
Boston acquired first baseman Eric Hosmer and outfielder Tommy Pham prior to the MLB trade deadline Tuesday, and McWilliams noted that Pham's arrival "apparently made Bradley expendable, with the Sox choosing to go with Jarren Duran as the everyday center fielder."
Duran led off and started in center for Wednesday's 6-1 defeat to the Houston Astros.
Cora basically said today that Jackie Bradley Jr. is now a bench player. The starting outfield is Pham, Duran and Verdugo. JBJ obviously a defensive replacement who can get some starts against RHPs.
The move ends Bradley's second stint in Boston. He won a World Series with the Red Sox in 2018 and signed with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2021. Bradley was traded back to Boston prior to the start of this season.
For the most part, Bradley has been a below-average hitter. He sports a .695 OPS and an 85 OPS+ over 10 seasons, per Baseball Reference. This year has been more of the same as he's hitting .210 with a .257 on-base percentage.
The 32-year-old remains a good defender, though, and was the Red Sox's best defensive option in center.
Duran's challenges in the field are encapsulated by this clip from Boston's 28-5 drubbing at the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays last month. What could've been a routine fly ball by Raimel Tapia became an inside-the-park grand slam:
Jarren Duran lost the ball and let up an inside-the-park grand slam for the Blue Jays 😨 @BRWalkoff
The Red Sox are 53-53 and in last place in the American League East. While they're only three games off the final wild-card spot, trading Christian Vazquez to the Houston Astros offsets the acquisitions of Hosmer and Pham. Boston doesn't appear to be aggressively pursuing a wild-card berth.
The front office might prefer to see if Duran, who turns 26 in September and is under team control through 2027, improves as the season winds down.
Getting designated for assignment by the Sox allows Bradley to potentially catch on with a contender for the stretch run. While he may not be a good everyday outfielder, he can provide value in a limited role.
Can't argue with move to DFA Jackie Bradley Jr. based on his numbers, but Red Sox did him no favors by constructing a roster that forced him to start. He should've been a fourth outfielder who played some vs. RHPs, not the everyday right fielder.
Bradley's defense could be helpful in late innings when a team is trying to secure a win, and using him situationally can keep him away from left-handed pitching. Per FanGraphs, he has a .191 wOBA against lefties and a .271 wOBA against right-handers.
Red Sox SS Xander Bogaerts Expresses Skepticism over Christian Vazquez Trade
Aug 2, 2022
Boston, MA - July 30: Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts walks off the field at the bottom of the eighth inning at the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers defeated the Red Sox, 9-4. (Photo by Carlin Stiehl for The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts expressed skepticism about the direction of the franchise following the team's decision to trade catcher Christian Vazquez to the Houston Astros on Monday.
"I wouldn’t say we got better because we lost [Vazquez]," Bogaerts told reporters Tuesday.
Xander Bogaerts deferred when asked about his confidence in the direction of the franchise. Said he doesn’t see how they got better losing Vázquez. He was downcast, as you would expect.
On Monday, John Tomase of NBC Sports Boston reported that players within the organization were frustrated about the lack of moves to address the club's "obvious holes."
It's no surprise Bogaerts was disappointed by the loss of Vazquez. The two had played in Boston together since the 2014 season.
Vazquez, one of the better offensive catchers in baseball, was also having a solid 2022 campaign, slashing .282/.327/.432 with eight home runs and 42 RBI in 84 games. However, he was a candidate to be dealt, as his contract is up after this season.
Since trading Vazquez, the Red Sox have acquired first baseman Eric Hosmer from the San Diego Padres and catcher Reese McGuire from the Chicago White Sox. They also brought in outfielder Tommy Pham from the Cincinnati Reds.
While Hosmer is certainly viewed as an upgrade over Franchy Cordero and Bobby Dalbec at first, he doesn't necessarily make Boston any better.
The 32-year-old is slashing .272/.336/.391 with eight home runs and 40 RBI in 90 games this season.
McGuire, meanwhile, is a downgrade from Vazquez behind the plate. The 27-year-old is also hitting .225/.261/.285 with 10 RBI in 53 games.
The Red Sox enter Tuesday's game against the Astros last in the AL East with a 52-52 record. However, they are six games behind the second-place Toronto Blue Jays and just three games behind the third-place Tampa Bay Rays. They are also three games behind the Seattle Mariners for the final AL Wild Card spot.
With the opportunity to still make the playoffs, it's no surprise Bogaerts is concerned about the direction of the organization.
That said, it wouldn't be surprising to see the star shortstop exit in free agency this winter. He is expected to decline his player option for the 2023 campaign in pursuit of a larger contract, and even if Boston offers him a better deal, he could leave if he feels the organization isn't built to win.
Bogaerts has spent his entire 10-year career with the Red Sox and has been one of the team's best players since his first full season in 2014.
MLB Rumors: Eric Hosmer Traded to Red Sox After Rejecting Nationals Move in Soto Deal
Aug 2, 2022
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 14: Eric Hosmer #30 of the San Diego Padres looks on before the game cisco Giants at Oracle Park on September 14, 2021 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller is still busy making trades, as he found a home for Eric Hosmer on Tuesday.
Per Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Boston Red Sox will acquire the 32-year-old first baseman.
With Eric Hosmer out of the Juan Soto trade after rejecting a deal to Washington, the Boston Red Sox swooped in and will acquire him from San Diego, sources tell ESPN. The finances are unclear: Padres could pick up a chunk of money -- or could send along a prospect with Hosmer.
Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reported the Padres will pay for the entirety of Hosmer's remaining contract, which will save the Red Sox close to $44 million.
Per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, Hosmer invoked his no-trade clause to reject a deal that would have sent him to the Washington Nationals as part of the package for the Padres to acquire Juan Soto and Josh Bell.
ESPN's Jeff Passan provided details of the Soto-Bell trade:
The package going back to Washington for Juan Soto and Josh Bell, sources tell ESPN:
- LHP MacKenzie Gore - OF Robert Hassell III - SS C.J. Abrams - OF James Wood - RHP Jarlin Susana - one more major league player
That's the only holdup right now to the agreed-upon deal.
Jim Bowden of CBS Sports noted the deal between Washington and San Diego didn't hinge on Hosmer's approval.
After the Padres acquired Adam Frazier from the Pittsburgh Pirates last season, rumblings about Hosmer's future with the organization began to circulate.
Ken Rosenthal and Dennis Lin of The Athletic reported at the time that "his name has surfaced in recent trade discussions."
But the Padres held on to Hosmer and traded Frazier to the Seattle Mariners on Nov. 27.
There were a number of reasons for the Padres to trade the four-time Gold Glove Award winner. He has never been a consistent hitter, especially in the power department. He ranked 22nd out of 26 first basemen in slugging percentage (.395) and 23rd in FanGraphs wins above replacement (0.6) in 2021.
In 2022, Hosmer ranks 21st out of 26 first basemen in WAR (0.4) and 24th in slugging percentage (.391).
There was speculation before the season that the Padres and New York Mets were deep in talks about a deal involving Hosmer.
Per SNY's Andy Martino, the Padres were going to send Hosmer, Chris Paddack and Emilio Pagan to the Mets for Dominic Smith. San Diego would also send $25-30 million to the Mets to cover a portion of Hosmer's remaining salary.
The deal never materialized, and Martino noted the Mets didn't want to go through with it.
After a fast start, Hosmer is hitting .272/.336/.391 with eight homers and 40 RBI in 90 games.
He was supposed to be a key part of San Diego's rebuild when he signed an eight-year, $144 million contract with the team as a free agent in February 2018. He will make $20 million in 2022 and $13 million annually from 2023 to 2025. The pact also includes an opt-out clause after the 2022 campaign.
The Red Sox seemed to indicate with their trades Monday that they were sellers in the interest of looking to 2023 and beyond. Christian Vazquez and Jake Diekman were traded, and Boston acquired Tommy Pham, Reese McGuire, Enmanuel Valdez and Wilyer Abreu.
Hosmer almost certainly won't be a long-term option for Boston, but he will get the opportunity to rebuild his value with one of MLB's marquee teams.
Red Sox Rumors: Players Frustrated Front Office Did Nothing to Fix 'Glaring Holes'
Aug 2, 2022
CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 29: A New Era Boston Red Sox game hat is seen against the Cleveland Indians during the game at Progressive Field on August 29, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Boston Red Sox players are reportedly unhappy with the moves the front office has made leading up to Tuesday's MLB trade deadline.
According to John Tomase of NBC Sports Boston, there is frustration within the locker room that nothing has been done to address the team's "glaring" and "obvious holes."
Per ESPN, the Red Sox acquired outfielder Tommy Pham and catcher Reese McGuire in separate trades with the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox on Monday, but only after they shipped catcher Cristian Vazquez to the Houston Astros.
Boston parted with a key bullpen piece in lefthanded pitcher Jake Diekman as part of the deal for McGuire.
Although there is still time before Tuesday evening's deadline, Tomase noted that the Red Sox have done nothing to improve one of their biggest weaknesses, which is first base.
Bobby Dalbec and Franchy Cordero have primarily split time at the position this season, but the results haven't been good. Dalbec is hitting just .205, while Cordero is hitting .219. They have combined for 15 errors defensively as well.
Before getting traded, Vazquez said he didn't know if general manager Chaim Bloom believed in the team he helped assemble, but based on some of the moves made thus far and the additional moves that could come Tuesday, it doesn't seem as though Bloom is going to great lengths to make a playoff push.
After reaching the American League Championship Series last season, the Red Sox are in last place in the American League East so far this season at 52-52. They're three games out of a wild-card spot and 18 games behind the division-leading New York Yankees.
The Vazquez trade was a product of the veteran backstop being set to hit free agency this coming offseason, but he could prove to be a huge loss for the organization.
In addition to being solid defensively, Vazquez is hitting .282 with with eight home runs and 42 RBI at a position that hasn't yielded much offense across the league.
Vazquez made his Red Sox debut in 2014 and was drafted by the club in 2008, meaning Boston parted ways with a player who was an important part of some major success, including a World Series title in 2018.
In McGuire, the Red Sox are replacing Vazquez with a career .241 hitter who is hitting .225 with no homers and 10 RBI in 53 games this season.
Pham could be a bit more impactful given that he is slashing .238/.320/.374 with 11 home runs, 39 RBI and seven stolen bases, plus he has had some productive years in the past with the St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays.
Perhaps the biggest concern with the Red Sox relates to whether they are willing or able to sign shortstop Xander Bogaerts and third baseman Rafael Devers to new contracts.
The All-Stars are perhaps Boston's top two hitters, but Bogaerts will become a free agent this offseason, while Devers is under team control only through 2023.
If the Red Sox continue to subtract and don't make any moves to obviously prove they are attempting to make a playoff push, it could also be telling about their intentions with Bogaerts and Devers.
Red Sox News: Tommy Pham Acquired from Reds Ahead of 2022 MLB Trade Deadline
Aug 1, 2022
CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 27: Tommy Pham #28 of the Cincinnati Reds is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a run during the first inning of the game against the Miami Marlins at Great American Ball Park on July 27, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
The Boston Red Sox have been one of the most active teams ahead of Tuesday's MLB trade deadline, and they added a veteran outfielder Monday.
Boston acquired Tommy Pham from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
A nine-year veteran, Pham signed a one-year deal with the Reds in March with a mutual option for 2023. He spent the previous two seasons with the San Diego Padres and has also played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays.
In 91 games this season, Pham is slashing .238/.320/.374 with 11 home runs and 39 RBI. The 34-year-old is striking out more this year, having already reached 100 after totaling 128 in 155 games in 2021.
More moves are likely on the horizon for the Red Sox. They also traded catcher Christian Vazquez to the Houston Astros for two prospects, per Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston. Boston didn't waste any time replacing Vazquez, as ESPN's Jesse Rogers reported it acquired catcher Reese McGuire from the Chicago White Sox.
Boston and Houston will begin a three-game series Monday night. The Red Sox are 51-52, last in the American League East. Boston has lost 17 of 23 and has struggled to find consistency throughout the season.
Christian Vazquez Traded to Astros; Red Sox Land 2 Prospects
Aug 1, 2022
BOSTON, MA - JULY 24: Christian Vazquez #7 of the Boston Red Sox during the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on July 24, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
The Houston Astros acquired Christian Vazquez from the Boston Red Sox for minor leaguers Enmanuel Valdez and Wilyer Abreu on Monday.
Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston first reported the deal.
Houston and Boston face off Monday night at Minute Maid Park, and Vazquez was taking batting practice when news of the trade broke.
Christian Vázquez takes BP in a Red Sox uniform for what seems to be the final time. pic.twitter.com/rr5Heo9PBF
Because he doesn't have to travel far to change clubhouses, the 31-year-old could make his Astros debut in relatively short order.
Vazquez is in the final season of his three-year, $13.4 million contract and the Red Sox are last in the American League East at 51-52. The trade comes as little surprise, and the bigger shock would've been if he remained in Boston through Tuesday's 6 p.m. ET deadline.
The 5'9" backstop has put together a solid campaign. He's batting .282 with a .432 slugging percentage and eight home runs in 84 games.
Catcher was an obvious position for the Astros to address at the deadline.
Martin Maldonado is a poor hitter across his career, with an OPS+ of 72 in 12 seasons, per Baseball Reference, and this year has been more of the same. The 35-year-old is once again on pace to finish below the Mendoza Line after batting .172 in 2021.
Vazquez will provide more punch to the lineup when he's the designated catcher.
This is the Astros' second notable move ahead of the deadline, as they also acquired Trey Mancini from the Baltimore Orioles.
MLB Trade Rumors: Red Sox, Giants Unlikely to Be ‘Pure Sellers’ at Deadline
Aug 1, 2022
BOSTON, MA - JULY 10: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox hits a two-run home run in the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on July 10, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
The Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants have fallen out of playoff contention in recent weeks, but neither is expected to be "pure sellers" before Tuesday's trade deadline, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
They are each "reluctant to concede" on the 2022 season and want to bounce back quickly in 2023, per Rosenthal.
If the teams do make any trades, it will likely be players who will soon be free agents. Boston could move catcher Christian Vazquez and designated hitter J.D. Martinez, while San Francisco has pitcher Carlos Rodon and outfielder Joc Pederson.
Both teams are still in the playoff hunt, entering Monday within four games of the final wild-card spot in their respective leagues. However, the recent slides have been enough to lower expectations.
The Giants lost their first seven games after the All-Star break, while the Red Sox are 3-7 in the second half of the season.
The talent is still there to contend, even if the turnaround doesn't come until next season. San Francisco won 107 games last year before losing in the division series, and Boston reached the ALCS. It's enough for both sides to hold onto their long-term pieces and hope for more success going forward.
Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom recently said the team doesn't plan to have any discussions about shortstop Xander Bogaerts or third baseman Rafael Devers. The Giants will also likely hold onto controllable players such as Logan Webb and Austin Slater.
However, there could still be quality options available.
Martinez is set to become a free agent this offseason, and the 34-year-old remains productive with a .288/.354/.462 slash line. He earned his fifth-career All-Star selection this year and could strengthen any lineup. Vazquez could also help a lot of teams as a catcher who hits .282. The veteran has also played first base this year and even lined up at second and third base over the past couple of seasons.
Pederson could be the best trade piece from the Giants, although he is currently on the seven-day injured list with a concussion. The two-time All-Star still has 17 home runs in 87 games this year.
Rodon has a player option for 2023 worth $22.5 million, but he seems likely to hit the open market after another strong season with a 3.00 ERA and 158 strikeouts in 123 innings. The Giants could get a good return in a trade after signing Rodon in the offseason.
Why Red Sox Should Move JD Martinez, More amid MLB Trade Rumors
Aug 1, 2022
BOSTON, MA - JULY 31: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox looks on after a game against the Milwaukee Brewers on July 31, 2022 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
The Boston Red Sox need to take one look at the standings to determine what their stance should be ahead of the 2022 MLB trade deadline.
The Red Sox are 51-52 and at the bottom of the American League East entering Monday. Their playoff dream is dying fast, and they may end up with nothing to show for this season.
Boston is 3-7 in its last 10 games, and it has not won consecutive games since July 9 and 10, when it took down the New York Yankees.
It is time for the Red Sox to offload some of their impending free agents and try to recoup something out of a disappointing season—instead of waiting for a handful of contracts to expire in the offseason.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the "Red Sox are listening on veterans," and that includes JD Martinez, Christian Vazquez and Nathan Eovaldi, all of whom have expiring contracts. Xander Bogaerts has already been told he will not be traded.
Boston will not receive a massive haul in return for its players who are out of contract at the end of the 2022 season, but getting a few prospects in return could bolster the farm system and accelerate the timeline for younger players to join the big-league roster.
The Red Sox should take advantage of what is a weak trade market at the moment. Juan Soto is the big name on the rumor mill, but the Washington Nationals are rightfully asking for exorbitant packages in return for a player who is one of the best hitters in the game and has multiple years left on his contract.
Where Boston fits in the trade market is with the teams that either missed out on Soto or were never in the race for the Nationals outfielder in the first place. For example, the New York Mets could look to Boston for Martinez or Vazquez to improve their lineup as they try to lock up the National League East.
New York already made two moves for left-handed bats in Daniel Vogelbach and Tyler Naquin, and it can improve its right-handed depth by landing Martinez and Vazquez, both of whom have postseason experience.
Martinez's overall power is down compared to a year ago, He has nine home runs, but he hit 32 doubles and has a .354 on-base percentage. Vazquez carries some positional flexibility at catcher and first base. He is hitting .282 with eight home runs, 42 RBI and 20 doubles.
There are places on contending rosters for both Martinez and Vazquez, and the Red Sox could get a few young players in return for the two hitters to start building their new core for another set of playoff pushes in the future.
The potential departures of Martinez and Vazquez would allow the Red Sox to take a major-league look at Triston Cases, the team's No. 2 overall prospect, who is mashing at Triple-A Worcester.
Casas, Jeter Downs and whichever prospects come in return for the traded players could form a nice young core around Bogaerts and Rafael Devers to help the Red Sox rebuild a bit after the departures of a few players.
Nathan Eovaldi is Boston's most intriguing pitching target at the trade deadline. Eovaldi is 4-3 with a 4.43 ERA, 80 strikeouts and just 14 walks over 81.1 innings.
The starting pitcher market is scant to say the least. Once Frankie Montas is traded by the Oakland Athletics, there will be little quality left on the market. Boston could make Eovaldi available and get two decent prospects, or one major-league ready player, in return for his expiring contract.
Eovaldi's departure would open up a clear path for Brayan Bello to be in the Boston rotation and that would help the team further evaluate the talent of its No. 3 overall prospect for the final two months of the regular season.
Eovaldi would be able to slip into any rotation and be an upgrade because of his lengthy experience. He needs to cut down on the home run concession, of which he has 18, but that is one of the few concerns that are attached to him.
St. Louis, Philadelphia and a few other playoff contenders are in need of pitching help, and Eovaldi's availability would be a welcome sight since they likely can't afford Montas, who has been linked for weeks with the New York Yankees.
Boston could keep everyone and make one more run at the wild-card spots in the American League. The Red Sox are 3.5 games out, with three teams between them and the third wild-card position.
With free agency on the horizon for a few players and the season trending downward, the Red Sox should cut their losses and get something for Martinez, Vazquez and Eovaldi and allow some of their top prospects to get some much-needed playing time at the big-league level.
