The Boston Red Sox suddenly have a thin outfield group after it was announced that Jarren Duran will have season-ending surgery.
While the Red Sox could let the kids play with Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela both receiving their first Major League Baseball call-ups in recent days -- Boston should at least consider adding a veteran with a strong pedigree into the mix.
"New York Yankees outfielder Harrison Bader has been placed on waivers," according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. "Bader has slumped severely as of late, but he would cost less than $1 million for the final month of the season and could be claimed by Thursday."
Bader is hitting .239 with 21 extra-base hits including seven home runs, 37 RBIs and a .640 OPS in 83 games this season. The 29-year-old has been oft-injured since joining New York but is a Gold Glove center fielder who has a tendency to rise to the occasion in clutch moments.
A fresh start could be exactly what Bader needs. With that said, there are more important needs that can be filled at the waiver wire thanks to the Los Angeles Angels recently placing nearly every impending free agent on waivers on Tuesday.
In a vacuum, Bader could help the Red Sox's final push for a Wild Card spot but they'd be better off making a claim for Angels pitchers Lucas Giolito, Matt Moore or Reynaldo López.
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