Dan Shaughnessy joined Arbella Early Edition to discuss the Red Sox’s current state ahead of the trade deadline.
The 2024 Boston Red Sox are standing at a critical juncture. Positioned just two games behind the Kansas City Royals for the final spot in the American League Wild Card race with a record of 53-46, their recent series sweep by the Los Angeles Dodgers followed by an extra-innings loss to the Colorado Rockies has left their strategy for the upcoming MLB trade deadline uncertain.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, conflicting viewpoints within the Red Sox organization are complicating matters. Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow and the front office are divided: should they aggressively pursue trades to support a team that has exceeded expectations for most of the season, or exercise patience and rely on their promising young core to mature further?
Both Red Sox players and manager Alex Cora advocate for making moves to bolster the roster, with Boston already being linked to several potential trade candidates. Should they opt to become buyers, here are three players and a specific position that have surfaced as targets for the Red Sox, as July 30 approaches.
Jameson Taillon, Starting Pitcher, Chicago Cubs
General Manager Jed Hoyer confirmed the Cubs’ intention to sell, prompting discussions between Boston and Chicago regarding Taillon. The 6-foot-5 right-hander has rebounded impressively this season with a 7-4 record, 3.10 ERA, and 1.161 WHIP in 16 starts, making him a viable mid-rotation option for the Red Sox. However, acquiring Taillon, under contract through 2026 on a four-year, $68 million deal, likely requires parting with one or two promising prospects.
James Paxton, Starting Pitcher, Free Agent
Surprisingly designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Paxton is expected to draw interest from the Red Sox for a potential reunion, as reported by Audacy’s Rob Bradford. Familiar with Boston from his stints in 2022 and 2023, the 35-year-old left-hander holds an 8-2 record with a 4.43 ERA this season. Despite leading the National League with 48 walks, Paxton offers stability as a fifth starter at a minimal cost.
Luis Rengifo, Infielder, Los Angeles Angels
Addressing their need for a right-handed bat to balance their predominantly left-handed lineup, Boston has shown interest in Rengifo, per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. Although currently sidelined with a broken hand, the switch-hitting Rengifo boasts a .380 average and .955 OPS against left-handed pitchers. With versatility across multiple infield positions and 22 steals in 69 games before his injury, Rengifo represents a potential solution for Boston’s lineup challenges.
Left-Handed Relievers
The Red Sox are also exploring options to enhance their bullpen, particularly targeting left-handed relievers who can generate more strikeouts than their current options, according to Bradford. Players like Tanner Scott from the Miami Marlins, Andrew Chafin of the Detroit Tigers, Andrew Nardi of the Marlins, and Garrett Cleavinger of the Tampa Bay Rays have been identified as potential targets to bolster Boston’s relief corps.
As the trade deadline nears, the Red Sox face critical decisions that could shape their trajectory not only for the remainder of the 2024 season but also for future campaigns. The outcome of their deliberations will determine whether they strengthen their roster for a playoff push or adopt a more patient approach to foster long-term success.