MLB insider Jon Heyman says that shortstop Xander Bogaerts may not be the only player the team moves on from at the trade deadline.
The Boston Red Sox have gotten off to a slow start to the 2022 season, as they sit 12.0 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East as of May 21. As is the case with any team struggling to start, the trade rumblings begin, and speculation runs rampant about whether they would move on from players, specifically from impending free agents.
Perhaps the most well-known name that could be on the move is shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who has an opt-out after this season and was unable to negotiate a new contract with the Red Sox. He has already been linked to the St. Louis Cardinals.
MLB insider Jon Heyman listed out potential trade deadline candidates in his latest article for the New York Post. Not only was Bogaerts listed, but also fellow Boston teammates J.D. Martinez and Nathan Eovaldi.
MLB insider lists J.D. Martinez, Nathan Eovaldi as potential trade deadline candidates
Heyman notes that Martinez’s salary is high, but he is having a good year at the plate thus far. Spotrac says that Martinez is making $19.35 million for this season before becoming an unrestricted free agent.
On the year, Martinez is slashing .349/.387/.579 while recording five home runs, 20 RBI and 44 hits. Heyman said that Martinez had a hitting streak recently that ended after 18-games.
Then, Heyman lists Eovaldi due to him being a “big-game pitcher,” and for the fact that he is an impending free agent. Given the need for teams to bolster their starting rotations ahead of the postseason, the Red Sox could get some takers for him.
Eovaldi has a 4.32 ERA and a 1.224 WHIP while recording 42 strikeouts over 41.2 innings of work (eight starts). However, Eovaldi does lead the league with 14 home runs allowed, as of this writing.
It will be interesting to see what happens because there are over two months left until the trade deadline. There is a possibility that the Red Sox can turn things around and get into postseason contention. If not, these three players could be worth keeping an eye on once the trade deadline gets closer.