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The trade deadline is almost here, and the Boston Red Sox need to make some moves if they want to be real contenders come October.
While shortstop seems to be their main concern, getting a better catcher should be their top priority, as their current platoon is one of the worst in the MLB. While a guy like Hunter Goodman may be a bit too pricey, Boston might be able to make a deal with a division rival who’s also in the hunt.
Adley Rutschman is on the block
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According to NY Post’s Joel Sherman, the Baltimore Orioles want to deal and are listening to offers on their three-time All-Star catcher, Adley Rustchman. They also aren’t against trading in the division either, so Boston has a chance.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan is a bit more pessimistic, writing that the O’s were listening to offers for Rustchman, but still had him at a 35% chance of being traded. He also wrote that Baltimore would want under control arms as a return, something Boston has in spades.
Rustchman could be the upgrade they need
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This season, Rutschman is hitting .251/.331/.443/.764 with 19 doubles, eight home runs, and 47 RBI in 67 games. While it's not where he was just two-to-three years ago, it's much better than Boston current platoon of Connor Wong and Carlos Narvaez.
This is because Rustchman has both of their pros, but neither of their cons. He brings the consistent offense Wong does, and is a wall behind the plate like Narvaez. He doesn’t struggle on one side of the ball like those two do, so it would give Boston a true starting catcher.
Boston needs to get to work
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If the Red Sox could get Rutschman, it would be a perfect upgrade for them. His switch hitting would come in handy, and his swing and defense could play well in Fenway Park.
He also has another year of control after this one, so he wouldn’t be a rental. And, depending on how he does, Boston could try to offer him an extension to keep him there long-term.
Boston could offer some of their top arms from their farm, and maybe a pitcher like Pablo Sandoval from their MLB squad; they then use an opener for Brayan Bello to fill that rotation spot until Garrett Crochet’s return. This trade would instantly make the Sox a lot better, so hopefully, Boston gets to work fast.
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