It’s unknown how active chief baseball officer Craig Breslow will be at the MLB trade deadline, but the Red Sox do need to address this specific need.
Boston has struggled against left-handed pitchers in the first half of the season. Batters struck out an MLB-leading 293 times against southpaws through 81 games. The Red Sox batters also have a .240 batting average and .705 OPS against left-handed starters.
The Red Sox lineup features multiple left-handed batters, so it’s only natural for them to have a better record against right-handed pitchers. But if Boston wants to accomplish its goal of clinching a postseason birth, it needs to do its best to fix its weaknesses.
Let’s look at five potential targets for the Red Sox to look into before the trade deadline.
Pete Alonso
OK, so this probably isn’t going to happen, unless Steven Cohen is interested in seeing Grimace cry in front of thousands of fans at Citi Field. The New York Mets went on a hot streak in June, and it continued in July to where they command a spot in the National League wild card. Even if this run is a mirage, Mets leadership would be foolish to kill fans’ hopes of a playoff berth. Alonso will be a free agent next season and would give Boston more firepower in the lineup. Triston Casas will likely debut after the All-Star break but adding Alonso would give the Red Sox a premium contingency.
Luis Rengifo
The Los Angeles Angels infielder is a popular trade target among analysts. ESPN’s Jeff Passan singled out Rengifo as a potential target for the Red Sox. It makes all the sense in the world. The 27-year-old is having a bounce-back season with six home runs and 25 RBIs off a 123 OPS+. And he has a .955 OPS against left-handed pitchers. His versatility in the infield gives Alex Cora more options as soon as Vaughn Grissom returns to the lineup. He does have one final year of arbitration next season, but he could end up being a valuable addition.
Paul DeJong
We’re sticking with the middle infield and looking at a veteran wallowing in a depressed franchise. The 30-year-old isn’t as sharp against lefties, but he’s having an average season with a 98 OPS+. If the Red Sox simply want a cheap utility man, DeJong would be their guy, and he’ll be a free agent this offseason, so you won’t be tied with him for too long.
Yandy Díaz
If Alonso is off the table, Díaz would be a solid plan B. Tampa Bay is kind of in the playoff race at 5 1/2 games back heading into Friday’s slate, but if the Rays simply want to blow everything up and try again next offseason, Díaz would be the guy to move. The veteran corner infielder is under team control beyond this year. It’s been a down season for Díaz after he made his first All-Star appearance, won the American League batting title and earned his first Silver Slugger award. But a change of scenery could be what he needs to get back on track. And again, Díaz would be a complimentary piece to Triston Casas at first base or Masataka Yoshida at designated hitter.
Amed Rosario
If the Rays deem Díaz off the table, the Red Sox could go after Rosario, who is an upcoming free agent. The 28-year-old checks the box of more depth at middle infield, and he has a solid .784 OPS against lefties. Like DeJong, acquiring Rosario probably won’t break the bank and would serve as a very low-key addition who can give the starters a break from time to time.
