Of course, a year ago, the Red Sox were in a similar situation as they are now, comfortably above.500 and in contention for one of the three AL wild card positions. However, GM Chaim Bloom chose not to be aggressive at the MLB trade deadline, and the team’s 56-47 record on July 27 deteriorated to 78-84, putting them last in the division.
The Red Sox are now 51-41, having won eight of their previous ten games, and appear to be a playoff contender—FanGraphs gives the Red Sox a 47% chance of making the playoffs. That could motivate Craig Breslow, the new general manager, to take action and be aggressive in the trade market, even if it means tinkering around the margins.
Bloom sat still, but Breslow, who played in the MLB for 12 years with seven different clubs, understands how morale can be lifted when a team acts around the deadline. Thus, if things continue as they are, with the Red Sox in the middle of the wild-card race and a dark horse for the AL East title, we may anticipate Breslow to become more aggressive.
And one familiar face who may return to help the Red Sox in the stretch run is JD Martinez, a veteran leader the team is accustomed with.
JD Martinez Could Be Dealt if Mets Slide
That is the prognosis of veteran Red Sox beat writer Sean McAdam of MassLive, who pinpointed Martinez as a viable trade deadline addition on his podcast (“The Fenway Rundown”) with co-host Chris Cotillo.
Martinez was a darling of the Red Sox and their fans for five seasons, garnering four All-Star selections and blasting 48 home runs with 130 RBI during Boston’s 2018 World Series victory. He established himself as a popular clubhouse leader and mentor to the team’s younger players.
He was an All-Star after departing the Red Sox last season, hitting 33 home runs and 103 RBI for the Dodgers. Martinez (37 years old next month) is currently batting.274 with a.358 on-base percentage and a.479 slugging percentage with the Mets. He has 10 home runs and 38 RBI for the Mets, who are on the verge of the National League wild card race and are undecided about whether to purchase or sell at the deadline.
Cotillo said that Blue Jays slugger Justin Turner, another former Red Sox, might be an appropriate target. But McAdam projected that Martinez would be the target.
“I am going with another former slugger and a reunion, I would say it is more likely they get JD Martinez back than Justin Turner,” McAdam told ESPN. “Martinez has had a better year.” Certainly is the type of person who has a positive influence on younger batters, has played in Boston, and knows the clubhouse. I’m going to have a different former DH come back.”
Red Sox Trade Could Add Righty Bat
McAdam stated that the Red Sox have a righthanded hitter at the top of their needs list as the deadline approaches. Seven of the Red Sox’s top ten plate appearances are by lefties, with catcher Connor Wong, outfielder Tyler O’Neill, and shortstop/centerfielder Ceddanne Rafaela being the only righties.
DH would be a great position to add a righty because there should be lots of available alternatives and Masataka Yoshida, the Red Sox’s current DH, has struggled with power numbers this season. Yoshida is batting.265 this season, with only four home runs and seven doubles.
Yoshida, on the other hand, appears to be recovering from his slump. In his last 14 games, he’s hit.346 with three doubles and two home runs, for a.519 slugging percentage.
Still, he could benefit from a platoon buddy. Yoshida has a season batting average of.304 versus righties but only.146 against lefties. Martinez would be an excellent fit next to him.
