Key Takeaways:
– The Boston Red Sox aim to bolster starting pitching and shortstop lineups.
– Luis Rengifo of the Angels and Milwaukee Brewers’ Willy Adames are possible shortstop options.
– In the face of injuries, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has been seeking solutions.
– The Red Sox strategy by the trade deadlines may incorporate both buying and selling options.
Boston Red Sox’s Dilemma: Pitching and Shortstop Solutions
Despite impressive statistics from the starting pitchers of the Boston Red Sox, injuries have taken a toll, risking their current fifth-best position in the Major League Baseball (MLB). Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow is actively seeking better solutions for the starting pitcher position. There’s also a need to find an effective replacement at shortstop after Trevor Story suffered a season-ending injury.
Possible Shortstop Replacements
Red Sox manager Alex Cora devised a fill-in formula for the shortstop position following Story’s injury. But none of these replacements have showcased performance levels worthy of becoming the everyday shortstop.
The most promising has been David Hamilton. But, the prospect of him maintaining his running stats seems unlikely. Hence, the focus shifts to exploring other options for the full-time shortstop role.
Two potential candidates have been identified: Luis Rengifo of the Angels, who has been making impressive offensive strides, and Milwaukee Brewers’ shortstop Willy Adames. Both combined could potentially enhance Boston’s defense and offense game.
Exploring New Pitching Options
Boston’s star players like Tanner Houck and Kutter Crawford have demonstrated commendable performances despite the strain on the team due to injuries. Nevertheless, injuries to players like Garrett Whitlock, Nick Pivetta, Lucas Giolito, and Brayan Bello have highlighted the need for reinforcements.
Additional starting pitching options could include two-month rentals like Jack Flaherty, Luis Severino, or Yusei Kikuchi. However, Boston can also be more ambitious and contemplate players like Garrett Crochet from the White Sox or Jesús Luzardo from the Marlins.
Trade Deadline: A Tough Call
The inconsistency in the Red Sox’s performance over the past seasons has put the front office in a tough spot by the trade deadline. The question is whether to buy and push for a wild-card spot or sell to secure new prospects.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale has cited that the Red Sox intend to trade All-Star closer Kenley Jansen before the forthcoming trade deadline. In contrast, Bowden indicated that the Red Sox could be buyers, an intriguing stance considering the surrounding sell-off rumors.
The trade strategy that the Red Sox adopts, be it buying, selling, or a combination of both, will only be clear as the trade deadline approaches. What is certain is that the trade decisions taken will significantly shape the future standing of the team. The Red Sox management strategy should be to strike a balance that ensures both short-term success and long-term stability on the field.