Red Sox may have to pivot to new catcher targets as trade deadline options disappear
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Red Sox may have to pivot to new catcher targets as trade deadline options disappear originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
With only six days left, the Boston Red Sox have to work overtime in order to get the second slugging bat that they need to upgrade their offense. Right now, catcher would be their best spot to upgrade, but their options are starting to run thin.
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Top catcher options are dropping out
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Right now, a couple of the top options on the catcher market are starting to drop out, whether it be by a team’s choice or not. Colorado Rockies two-time All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman might not be traded, as Colorado hasn’t really pushed for it, and for the teams inquiring, they’ve asked for the moon.
As for Athletics All-Star Shea Langeliers, he tore his meniscus, so him getting traded by the deadline is out of the question. With this in mind, Boston might have to look in a different direction if they want a catcher.
There are some good pivots out there
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Even with the top catchers out of the picture, there are some serviceable guys out there that are quite better than Boston’s current platoon. Ryan Jeffers comes to mind, as he’s slashing .293/.395/.535/.930 with nine home runs in 46 games played, and he’d be a rental.
One of the easier long-term acquisitions could be New York Mets star Francisco Alvarez, who has been battling injuries over gus career, but is still managing to slash .262/.341/.450/.791 with 12 home runs this season. He also has a swing built for Fenway, and has three and a half years of control left on his contract.
Finally, another long-term option that could be available to grab is St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera. According to MLB insider Mark Feinsand, St. Louis is open to trading their All-Star since they have top catching talent ready to come to the MLB soon. Herrera is slashing .244/.365/.380/.746 with 12 homers, and has three and half years left of control as well.
Boston needs to make some decisions
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Catcher is honestly the position the Red Sox need the most help in, and getting a slugger that can put the ball in play is a must.
Any of these guys could do, and with the devastating Curtis Mead injury, Boston needs to act fast.
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