The Boston Red Sox are struggling. Despite getting wins over the Atlanta Braves, the team is not producing offensively. As the reigning World Series champions, the team was expecting a little more and instead got a 10-game losing streak before sweeping the Braves. The lack of production is forcing the team to explore the trade market and a deal could be right around the corner.
The Red Sox have the third-worst offensive group in the majors thanks to injuries and ineffectiveness. Shane Victorino has spent most of the injured. Grady Sizemore and Jackie Bradley Jr. are not producing at the plate. The Red Sox are being forced to explore the outfielder market which is slim as far as free agents go, but loaded with talent up for dealing. The Red Sox can try and find a veteran in a final year of their contract or they can go for the big trade to become contenders again.
According to Bleacher Report, Alex Rios from the Texas Rangers is available and a good fit. Rios is hitting well right now, on a streak while batting .316. He is even more attractive being in the final year of a deal that pays him $12.5 million this season. He has a team option of $13.5 million with a $1 million buyout. Rios admitted he has no clue what his future holds and would not turn anything down.
"But it's just part of the game, like I said we have to deal with these kind of things," Rios said, via Dallas Morning News. "We have to adjust and we have to keep moving forward. So whatever happens, happens. I don't think I have any space in my mind to be thinking about those things right now. I'm focusing on what I have to do and I'm focused on winning games."
If the Red Sox want to pull the big move, Matt Kemp would like to be sent packing from Los Angeles. The outfielder is the odd man out right now on a crowded roster, getting benched four games in a row, only seeing the field with a Carl Crawford injury. According to Los Angeles Times columnist Bill Shaikin, Kemp's days with the Dodgers are over and it is just a matter of time before he is gone. Andre Ethier has taken rank over Kemp. However, his large salary makes him a hard trade to make.
Could Boston look the way of Ichiro Suzuki? The New York Yankees need pitching. If Boston feels they have prospects and options to offer, they could look to grab Suzuki who is seeing inconsistent playing time like Kemp. Boston is looking to be buyers and patch some big holes on the roster and can expect the market to heat up in the next month.