The Boston Red Sox made another save Saturday night, proving once and for all that they need to make a close deal.
Fortunately, the August 2 trading deadline is approaching. But what shutters are available for Boston?
Neither Matt Barnes nor Hansel Robles has proven stable enough to manage the closer situation. While either of them can reshape their approach and be a presence in the background, neither should be a conclusion. It takes a completely different mindset to finish a close match, and both players have proven incapable.
Boston’s best chance of competing for a long-term watershed and making a serious run in October is to trade for a backyard. These three make the most sense:
Red Sox Trading Goals: Daniel Bard
I should point out that the Rockies have no intention of trading Bard – although that was off his final season. At this point, Colorado is out of the playoffs and if that continues, all options are on the table.
Bard is enjoying his best season to date, scoring 2.22 ERA and hitting 12 times. He’s a familiar face to Boston fans, as he used to be a precious potential in the Sox system. At that point, it was seen as a novice, but has since reinvented itself as a relief pitcher. At 37 years old, the Bard can be relatively inexpensive compared to the other two cabinets on this list.
Red Sox Trading Targets: Michael Vollmer / Gregory Soto
I’m adding this as the opposite of two, in part because Vollmer doesn’t have much experience with closures. He’s one of the best relief pitchers in baseball, and he’s set to be a free agent after this season. It’s cheaper than the two acquisitions listed here.
Soto, on the other hand, will cost Boston an arm and a leg in expectations. Want to stick to Triston Casas? Then deal with Vollmer instead. Soto is considered one of the most electric back arms in baseball. He can throw nearly three figures, and he has the broken stuff to boot.
Red Sox Trading Objectives: David Bednar
Bednar It is pre-arbitrationForgive me for saying that this is highly unlikely. However, Pittsburgh is not in a position to compete and appears to be wasting Bednar’s talents. Last season, Bednar established himself as one of the best blockers in baseball with a 2.23 ERA. He backed that season with his first try as a closer, which went smoothly then some.
Bednar 10 saves per season, and 1.29 ERA to take off. His fast ball can hit the high 90s and he brings excellent control to any game. He would have fit right in with the Sox, if they were to throw the farm in the direction of Pittsburgh.
However, given Chaim Bloom’s reluctance to trade opportunities, the likes of Vollmer and/or Bard are somewhat more realistic.
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