Ranking Red Sox's Biggest Roster Needs Ahead of MLB Trade Deadline

[Nick John]

With the Red Sox having gone on an unprecedented 14 game winning streak that brought them out of the basement of the American League and into a current playoff position, they have gone from being sellers and have become buyers.

Looking at the roster, it’s clear that the team will need outside additions if they hope to capitalize on their streak of capsulizing play and make it back to the playoffs for the second season in a row. With the manner that Craig Breslow built not just the active roster but the entire 40-man, the organization has been able to deal with injuries to key players like Garrett Crochet, Roman Anthony and Trevor Story. But, if they want to truly challenge the upper echelons of the American League, they should look to strengthen areas of potential weakness.

Below we’ll be ranking the biggest areas of need for the organization as the trade deadline quickly approaches.

#4: Catcher

After coming off of an impressive rookie season that surprised fans, Carlos Narváez has not been able to quite replicate it during his second season with Boston. The catcher has dealt with poor performance on the field that has seen him hit .200/.266/.294 with just six doubles, three home runs and nine RBIs in 55 games. More concerning has been the increase in strikeouts as the catcher has struck out in 31.7% of his at-bats.

Even defensively he’s taken a slight step back. While his ability to block and frame has remained consistent, his pop time has increased from 1.92 seconds to 1.99 seconds, something that seems small but has allowed 29 of 36 attempted stolen bases to be successful for the runner, good for an 80.5% success rate. Last season baserunners were only successful 70% of the time.

As a backup, Connor Wong has been efficient, appearing in 45 games and hitting .277/.374/.370 with eight doubles, one home run and 15 RBIs. Defensively he’s been one of the worst catchers in baseball.

The issue that is keeping this from being higher on the list is that trading for a catcher mid-season can be tricky when dealing with the pitching staff. Both Narváez and Wong (and Mickey Gasper in Worcester), have caught the pitchers in Boston all season and know how to work with them. A new catcher would be thrown into the mix and have to learn the pitchers’ tendencies while in the middle of a playoff race.

While guys like Hunter Goodman and Shea Langeliers are enticing, they both are more likely to be an offseason trade should Breslow throw his hat into the ring for them.

#3: Left-handed Reliever

Currently the Red Sox have three left-handed relievers in their bullpen: Jovani Morán, Eduardo Rivera and Aroldis Chapman. They also have Alec Gamboa and Tyler Samaniego waiting in Worcester if needed along with Joe La Sorsa who is on the injured list.

Despite that depth, the team really only has one left-handed reliever they can use at any point in the game, that being Morán. Rivera has been used as an opener since being recalled to the team and Chapman is reserved solely for late game situations. While the solution could be fixed by recalling one of Gamboa or Samaniego permanently from Worcester, it might be best to acquire a veteran left-handed reliever with playoff experience.

Gamboa has been a great success story but has just eight career innings at the major league level and the majority of them have been in blowout games. He hasn’t shown what he can do in tightly contested outings. Samaniego on the other hand showcased success in his 20 1/3 innings in Boston, allowing just six earned runs and becoming an important piece in the bullpen before the numbers game sent him back to Worcester.

However, the underlying numbers hinted towards a regression for Samaniego and since being optioned to Worcester has allowed eight earned runs on 20 hits and five walks in 14 1/3 innings. The team would be wise to look for a left-handed reliever who can provide middle relief.

#2: Power Bat

While ideally the power bat the team brings in would be right-handed, any power would be welcomed at this point in the season. Of the current starting lineup for the Red Sox, only Willson Contreras has 20 or more home runs and only Caleb Durbin, Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu have 10 or more.

Currently the team is ranked last in home runs with just 95 and could use some thump in their lineup for a potential October playoff series. Last year in the Wild Card round it was shown how the team lacked offensive firepower when it was needed and while the additions of Contreras and Durbin have been fine additions, a true home run hitter to slot in behind Contreras and Abreu would help transform this lineup into one that should be feared.

They also rank in the bottom half of the American League when it comes to RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging and OPS. They are also second to last in walks, only better than the Toronto Blue Jays. They need a hitter that will make opposing pitchers pay when a mistake is thrown.

Despite that, the Red Sox have done well with hitting doubles as they’re second behind the Kansas City Royals. They’ve just struggled to get the runner in from second base.

#1: Starting Pitching Depth

This one may seem crazy considering the talent in the rotation. Sonny Gray has put together a Cy Young candidate season, Ranger Suárez who’s expected back from the injured list soon was an All-Star, and rookies Connelly Early, Payton Tolle and Jake Bennett have performed admirably. All of this while Crochet has not pitched since late April and Johan Oviedo and Kutter Crawford have made a combined one appearance. Brayan Bello was also ineffective, being optioned to Worcester before rejoining Boston in what has been a seldom used bullpen role.

That’s it for starting pitching depth.

Due to injuries, Boston has had to rely on Patrick Sandoval to give them innings after being out of the league for nearly two years. They’ve also turned to Rivera to provide them with innings as an opener. After those two the Red Sox have no healthy starters remaining as both Gamboa and Tyler Uberstine were converted from Worcester’s rotation into bullpen roles to be ready in case of a call up to Boston. In regard to the injured players, Suárez is likely to be back before the end of the Baltimore series, but Crochet hasn’t thrown and Oviedo is just getting back to throwing. Even Crawford was shut down after his original rehab appearance.

Despite that, the rotation has done a phenomenal job at carrying the Red Sox for most of the season. However, there’s no telling when Bennett, Tolle or Early could experience a drop off in performance as they are all reaching or have passed their career highs for innings pitched. The Red Sox would be wise to acquire a backend starter who can provide them with innings and a chance to compete while relieving the pressure from the young arms.

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