BREAK: Red Sox on a key man trade

The trade deadline is nearing, and in the coming weeks, more definitive reports will emerge about which teams are buying or selling. Recently, I’ve been covering teams willing to trade nearly everything on their roster. If you missed any of those articles, you can find them below:

– Braves trade targets from Athletics
– Braves trade targets from Angels
– Braves trade targets from Rockies
– Braves trade targets from White Sox
– Braves trade targets from Mets
– Braves trade targets from Marlins

Now, we’ll shift our focus to teams that are still undecided. Many of these clubs probably should sell, but the expanded playoffs have given almost everyone, except a few, a glimmer of hope. The American League has more teams with records above .500 compared to the National League, so some teams around the .500 mark might be more inclined to look toward the future rather than this season.

One such team is the Boston Red Sox. With a current record of 39-35, they are 2.0 games behind the Twins for the final Wild Card spot. Although they’ll strive to do their best over the next six weeks, this team isn’t quite ready to compete for a World Series. They do, however, have several players that could pique Alex Anthopoulos’s interest, including a few familiar faces.

After finishing eighth in the NL MV

TYLER O’NEILL

P race in 2021, Tyler O’Neill has been hampered by injuries, leading to his trade to the Red Sox over the winter. This move has proven successful for Boston, as O’Neill has showcased his power with 14 homers in just 49 games and an .888 OPS. As the Braves look to bolster their roster ahead of the trade deadline, addressing the outfield is a priority. O’Neill, being in the final year of his contract, is likely to attract multiple suitors if the Red Sox make him available, but his expiring deal means he shouldn’t command a hefty return in terms of prospects.

Nick Pivetta

Besides outfielders, the Braves might consider upgrading their rotation at the trade deadline if their younger pitchers don’t solidify their roles. It’s unlikely that Alex Anthopoulos will pursue a frontline starter, given the Braves’ limited prospect capital for such a significant trade. However, a player like Nick Pivetta, who is in the final year of his contract, could be a sensible target. Pivetta has a lot of swing-and-miss potential and can perform well as both a starter and a reliever, making him a versatile and appealing option.

Chris Martin and Kenley Jansen

I mentioned that the Red Sox have a couple of former Braves who might be on the trade block in a little over a month. While the Braves don’t urgently need more relievers, extra arms are always beneficial, especially with the uncertainty of injuries before the trade deadline.

Kenley Jansen has been excellent for the Red Sox since signing with them in free agency following his brief stint with the Braves. He currently boasts a 2.70 ERA and 2.12 FIP this season and would be highly sought after if the Red Sox make him available. Chris Martin isn’t having his best season with a 4.22 ERA over 21 appearances, but he’s only a year removed from posting a 1.05 ERA over 55 appearances and finishing 12th in the AL Cy Young race.