The Red Sox could end up being sellers at the MLB Trade Deadline and, if that happens, one player is most likely to be traded and a destination is obvious.
It’s been a tumultuous month of July for the Boston Red Sox. On the heels of a torrid June that saw them surge firmly into the AL Wild Card race, they’ve just as quickly fallen out of it, most recently getting embarrassed at home by getting swept at Fenway by the Blue Jays. And with the MLB Trade Deadline looming, that could turn the tides for Boston.
Prior to their recent skid, it would’ve made sense for the Red Sox to be buyers at the Aug. 2 deadline but now they could switch their focus to selling. The team is rife with potential quality assets that could help bonafide contenders make their push to and through the postseason.
While Xander Bogaerts is the biggest name that will be thrown around, it’s unlikely that he’ll actually be traded. There’s another prime candidate to be dealt, however, that should be in high demand: J.D. Martinez. And one team in particular, the New York Mets, should be ready to kick the tires on the veteran outfielder and DH.
Red Sox rumors: J.D. Martinez will most likely be traded if Boston sells with Mets being a prime landing spot
Martinez has been a staple for the Red Sox in recent years and, despite some minor injuries, has continued to be highly productive in Boston. For the 2022 season, though he’s recently missed time with back spasms, he’s slashing .302/.368/.481 with nine home runs, 38 RBI and 30 doubles on the year along with 51 runs scored.
New York made the first truly notable move ahead of the trade deadline as they landed Daniel Vogelbach from the Pirates but their lineup could still use more pop and depth moving forward.
Landing someone like Martinez, a veteran who hits for power and average along with having postseason experience, would be a tremendous asset. He could further add to the DH depth on the roster while playing the outfield as well.
For Boston, with Martinez in the final year of his contract, they would be selling on an aging player who, given their current state, isn’t going to help them towards a goal of winning a World Series. Instead, they would be able to get either quality prospects for the future of the franchise or a young player who they can develop in an area of need.
If the Red Sox indeed punt on their chances this season and sell, Martinez is easily the most likely candidate to be moved. It’ll be hard for fans to see him go but, for both Boston and New York (an often unlikely pairing), it could work out best in the long run.