Yardbarker
x
Red Sox Unlikely to Trade Outfielder at Deadline
Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

All of a sudden, the Boston Red Sox are in this thing.

After a dreadful start to the year, a Rafael Devers trade, and more injuries than you can count, the Red Sox have flipped the script and sit at 50-45, just 5 games back of the Toronto Blue Jays for the American League East lead.

This latest hot stretch, including seven consecutive victories, has likely shifted Boston’s trade deadline mentality. Now, with third baseman Alex Bregman coming back, the Red Sox have a real shot not only at a Wild Card spot but the division.

One potential asset area is in the outfield. The Red Sox have Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Roman Anthony, Masataka Yoshida, and Ceddanne Rafaela eligible for three spots, or four, including designated hitter. But, there is still a logjam.

Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow had this to say on the outfield situation, via WEEI:

“I think it’s really important to point out that we *don’t* have to trade one of the outfielders simply because we have more guys that are capable of contributing that can start every night.”

Perhaps Breslow feels that, even with his team’s recent success, this is not the time to ship a Duran or a Yoshida for pitching support and make those all-in moves.

Duran (.260 batting average, .752 OPS, 8 home runs), Abreu (.257 batting average, .827 OPS, 18 home runs), and Rafaela (.268 batting average, .779 OPS, 12 home runs) are the three regulars all having solid campaigns.

Rookie sensation Anthony is no slouch either. Through his first 28 Big League games, he has a .263 batting average, a .759 OPS, and 2 home runs. Any of whom, or even Yoshida, although his contract complicates his trade value, would be worthy centerpieces in a deal.

But, Breslow seems to be taking the right approach and not forcing an accelerated development out of his players.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!