The Red Sox are down to the final stretch before the trade deadline, and one possible move could check more than one box at once.
Boston still needs a real middle-of-the-order bat, but the Curtis Mead injury has made the search a little wider. That opens the door for a second hitter who can support the lineup, and the Blue Jays might have exactly that kind of piece available.
George Springer is the name to watch. Toronto sits at 50-59 and 5.5 games out of the Wild Card race, which makes it easy to see why they’d be sellers.
Springer, a four-time All-Star DH, could be one of their most attractive trade chips. He’s 36 and on an expiring contract, so any team that lands him would be getting a rental rather than a long-term commitment.
That matters for Boston. A short-term add would not require a massive return, and CBS Sports’ Julian McWilliams reported that Springer, a New England native, is also rumored to be interested in Boston as a possible landing spot.
The fit on the field is obvious enough. The Red Sox have seen Springer up close for six seasons in Toronto, and the numbers at Fenway Park jump off the page: .323/.400/.540/.940 with nine doubles, 10 home runs, and 41 RBI in 51 games. His swing has long looked tailor-made for the park, and even though he’s hitting .234/.317/.403/.719 with 13 doubles, 12 home runs, and 34 RBI in 78 games this season, Fenway could be a place where those numbers climb.
There’s also a broader roster wrinkle that could make this more than a simple fit on paper. McWilliams also reported that Boston is willing to move Jarren Duran at the deadline, and a one-for-one Duran-for-Springer swap could make sense for both sides.
In Other News...
Red Sox Eye One More Deadline Move To Fix A Lingering Problem
The Red Sox have already done business with the Nationals twice in the past nine months, landing pitcher Jake Bennett and infielder Curtis Mead, but the work in Washington may not be finished. Mead is currently out with a broken wrist, and Boston still appears to be searching for a cleaner answer on the infield as the trade deadline approaches.
According to reports, the club has continued to monitor Washingtons infield market while looking for another move that would address the lingering issue. The interest points toward a player who has been productive this season, and the price could require Boston to part with a notable major league piece or a pitcher from the current roster mix. [Read more 🡒]
Red Sox Wild Card Push Suddenly Hinges On Two Unsettled Developments
Roman Anthony is back to batting as he continues to work his way back from a torn ligament in his ring finger, a small but meaningful step for a Red Sox club trying to keep its Wild Card hopes alive while managing a few moving parts. At the same time, Willson Contreras is rejoining the lineup after clearing concussion protocol, giving Boston another healthy bat at a moment when every at-bat seems to carry extra weight in the standings race.
The bigger organizational questions are still simmering behind the scenes. Tanner Houcks recovery from UCL surgery has reached the point where he is throwing in bullpen sessions, and the possibility of a late-season return adds another layer to Bostons pitching picture. On the roster front, the Red Sox have also had interest in Luis Garca Jr., but the Yankees are close to getting there first, which would force Boston to keep looking for help as the deadline pressure and the playoff chase continue to overlap. [Read more 🡒]
Red Sox Face One Huge Deadline Decision On A Star Catcher
The Red Sox are staring at a late-breaking catcher decision with real consequences, as Boston and Baltimore have already lined up the framework of a potential deal involving Adley Rutschman. Prospects have been identified, medical information has been exchanged and the sides have gotten far enough along that the only remaining hurdle is Bostons final approval.
Rutschmans status adds another layer to the pause, since he is dealing with an injury that has kept him out. For a Red Sox club weighing both the short-term fit and the long-term cost, that makes this less about simply adding a name and more about deciding whether the timing, health and price all line up well enough to move forward. [Read more 🡒]