Red Sox expected to make strange trade decision on $88M World Series champion

The Boston Red Sox have some tough decisions to make at the Major League Baseball trade deadline, and it isn't because they've made the right moves over the past few years. 

In fact, many of the moves the Red Sox have made have unfortunately come back to bite them, and as a result, they're going to have to move on from multiple veterans. 

While some of the players the Red Sox have added aren't the reason they're playing this poorly, it's important to recognize that the organization has to look in the mirror and make the right moves to ensure a better future. 

By doing so, they should be well-positioned to at least compete in the long term. One player in particular who is gaining a lot of love on the trade market is Sonny Gray, who was recently viewed as a potential trade candidate and, according to MLB.com, the most likely player to be traded from the Red Sox by the deadline.

“I think Gray is more likely to go, despite the no-trade protection, because he will likely become a free agent at the end of the season. The one thing the Red Sox have going for them is starting pitching depth both in the short and long term. What they don’t have is an abundance of right-handed power. In fact, they have a glaring lack of it. Contreras is on pace for a career year and it’s no coincidence it is happening as he plays half of his games at Fenway Park. As chief baseball officer Craig Breslow suspected in the offseason, Contreras has a swing built for Fenway. He also has the fiery personality that thrives in a place like Boston. Not only is Contreras signed through next season but he has an affordable club option for ‘28 at $17.5 million. I will be really surprised if he gets traded,” Ian Browne of MLB.com wrote.

The Willson Contreras aspect is pretty interesting here, as Contreras, a right-handed hitter, would certainly be wanted by other teams. 

That's something the Red Sox will have to consider, as I don't think it's crazy to suggest that moving on from certain players, even if they're very good, would be a bad idea. 

Perhaps they view him as a player who can impact the team next season, but I still think it's better to move on from Contreras if they get the right offer.

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