The Boston Red Sox are sitting in flux after splitting a four-game set with the Minnesota Twins.
Boston sits at 39-37, last place in the historically good American League East but only 2 1/2 games back of a Wild Card spot. They've yet to define themselves as buyers or sellers 76 games in the season.
Regardless of which way they lean, it would make a lot of sense to unload a slugger who has raised his stock as much as he's capable -- corner infielder Bobby Dalbec.
Dalbec is hitting .302 with 29 extra-base hits including 18 home runs, 42 RBIs and a 1.072 OPS in 53 games for Triple-A Worcester this season. His value is as high as it's ever going to get, and he has no place on the Red Sox's roster.
Dalbec admitted as much himself. He explained that he's currently doing everything he can to help the Red Sox organization and would prefer to remain here but understands that a trade is likely best for both parties.
“But eyes on the big-picture, I don’t know if there’s necessarily a lane for meaningful opportunity for me with the Red Sox right now,” Dalbec told MassLive's Christopher Smith. “So just trying to be consistent down here. And if that happens, it happens. I can’t control that. I can’t go make the call or call someone else and say, ‘Hey, I need to get out of here’ or anything like that. It’s just not how it works. I don’t have that power. So I’m just going to continue to try to be the best version of myself down here and be a part of whatever team I’m on, which is this team right now."
The 27-year-old has been developing his defensive skillset and can now play first base, third base, shortstop and is developing as a corner outfielder. He's also statistically one of the best hitters in Triple-A.
Someone out there would be willing to take a chance on Dalbec. It'd be impossible to guess what kind of compensation Boston would receive but whatever it is will be more than what they'd get if they let him ride out this hot streak and trade or release him down the road. Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom would be foolish to not capitalize on Dalbec's current production by moving him in the next month or so.
A logical question would be, "If he's so good, why trade him?"
Well, even at the peak of his powers, Dalbec is striking out at a 41% clip in the minors and is a below-average defender. He's giving it all he's got and he'd be an intriguing back-of-the-order slugger for someone out there but Boston is not the fit for him.
The conclusion of Dalbec's career with the Red Sox appears to be on the way, as the Major League Baseball trade deadline is on Aug. 1.
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