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Top Players Red Sox Should Target Ahead Of 2024 Trade Deadline

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The Boston Red Sox have played themselves into the thick of playoff contention over the last month. After sitting at 33-34 on June 11, Boston is 50-41 just 30 days later. Few expected the Red Sox to be buyers at the 2024 MLB trade deadline back then. Now, it feels like that is the only thing the club can do. The organization has been undecided on whether to bring players in by the July 30 deadline, as outlined by ESPN’s Buster Olney on the latest edition of Sunday Night Baseball. But with how Boston has performed the last month, it would be a shame if that indecisiveness led to the club not leaving itself in a better position. And there are top players the Red Sox should target ahead of the 2024 trade deadline.

Other MLB insiders, like FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, are dead-set on the Red Sox adopting a buying nature ahead of the trade deadline. Rosenthal explains a situation that every Boston fan can see with their own eyes. Boston has had strong starting pitching in 2024, but the depth isn’t there. One injury in the rotation and the organization is in big trouble. They’ve already seen pitchers go down for the season. Adding starters to take up innings and improve an already good group is an obvious choice. Targeting a right-handed bat at the deadline, with the Red Sox already stacked with lefties, makes a lot of sense as well. Specifically, Rosenthal believes that a middle infielder may be the best fit.

To keep the team in contention, it really is a must to buy. News regarding players being available at the deadline, and teams entering a selling mindset, are swirling around Major League Baseball. Boston needs to take advantage of that. 

Top Players Red Sox Should Target Ahead Of 2024 Trade Deadline

5. Isiah Kiner-Falefa – UTL – Toronto Blue Jays

Isiah Kiner-Falefa is quietly having the best season of his seven-year career. His 2.9 WAR leads all Blue Jays. The right-handed hitter is batting .292 (career-high), has seven home runs (on pace for career-best), and is sporting a .758 OPS (career-high). IKF has played three different infield positions over ten times in 2024, something that should light up the Red Sox’s eyes. That type of versatility, and current production, is hard to come by. Being able to play second, shortstop, and third is exactly what Boston needs in the infield right now. 

He’s not a rental, with the Hawaii native owed $7.5 million in 2025. That should raise his trading price, which may scare off the Red Sox in the long run. Kiner-Falefa is also currently on the injured list with a left knee sprain, which is a slight worry. However, he recently resumed baseball activity and is progressing well through his rehab. If the 29-year-old is good to go come late July, that issue lessens in value. 

The Blue Jays have had a rough season and currently sit at the bottom of the American League East with a struggling 42-50 record. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand wrote on Wednesday that Toronto may be a big seller at the trade deadline if things don’t change fast. If that’s the case, the organization will surely be listening to IKF offers. Boston should at least check in and see his value. If it isn’t above what it should be, the Red Sox making an offer is a definite possibility.

4. Yusei Kikuchi – SP – Toronto Blue Jays

Speaking of the faltering Blue Jays, Kiner-Falefa isn’t the only Toronto piece that the Red Sox should target at the deadline. Yusei Kikuchi has been a starter his entire career. He’s sometimes struggled with limiting runners but is having one of his better years in that category. Kikuchi has a 4.00 ERA in over 100 innings this campaign, striking out 111 batters. He leads all pitchers with 19 starts, proving durability. Kikuchi is in his second consecutive season with an ERA+ above 100. And his walk numbers are way down compared to 2023.

Kikuchi is in the last year of a 3-year, $36 million contract with Toronto. The 33-year-old shouldn’t have a high price due to his rental tag. As previously mentioned, odds are that the Blue Jays will be willing to sell come the trade deadline. Kikuchi has a 2.80 ERA over his last two appearances. He had a career-high 13 strikeouts in his last start. The Japan native has held opponents to two runs or less in 12 games. Due to Kikuchi’s low price, strong durability, and veteran presence, Boston should check in with the Blue Jays about this. If you are indecisive, bringing in someone on a bargain is the go-to move.

3. Luis Rengifo – UTL – Los Angeles Angels

Like Kiner-Falefa, Luis Rengifo is currently on the injured list with right wrist inflammation. But, similar to IKF, if the L.A. man can shake that off, this is an easy decision for the Red Sox. Rengifo is having the best year of his career by far in 2024. He’s batting .315 with an .800 OPS. Rengifo’s stealing numbers have skyrocketed, snagging 22 bases this season. Before, his career-high was just six. Rengifo is a consistent contact hitter who causes havoc on the basepaths. He’s a switch hitter, allowing flexibility in the lineup. What else could you want from a deadline acquisition?

Although the Angels are, once again, not playing too well in 2024, their current trade deadline plan is up in the air. Unless the organization receives heavy offers, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, for some of their top pieces that are under team control, they probably won’t move them. Lucky for Boston, though, those include starters Tyler Anderson and Griffin Canning, along with outfielder Taylor Ward. Rengifo is not a part of that list. 

Rengifo enters arbitration for the final time at the end of the 2024 season. Los Angeles is going nowhere this season, leaving no reason for the club to hang on to the 27-year-old. Trading for Rengifo would give Boston a leg up in trying to sign him to a multi-year contract in the offseason. A cheap, consistent bat is always coveted at the trade deadline. Rengifo has been linked to the Red Sox for weeks. If things stay the same, the utility man will be available. Boston shouldn’t blink and make a move to acquire him.

2. Zach Eflin – SP – Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays signed Zach Eflin to a three-year, $40 million deal ahead of the 2023 season, breaking a franchise record for total money spent on a single free agent. He had previously performed somewhat inconsistently for the Philadelphia Phillies, but helped the club reach the 2022 World Series. After joining Tampa Bay, he had the best season of his career and led all pitchers with 16 wins. This year, he’s taken a slight step back but is still pitching well. If the Red Sox want to help their rotation for now and in the future, this is the guy to target at the deadline.

Eflin has a 3.99 ERA over 17 starts in 2024. He hasn’t been a big strikeout pitcher, sitting down 78 batters in nearly 100 innings. But what he does do is limit baserunners. Eflin has a 1.117 WHIP thanks to just nine walks allowed this season. He does give up quite a few hits, averaging 9.2 per nine innings. But the 30-year-old is experienced enough to perform elsewhere to make up for it. Since returning from injury at the start of June, Eflin’s ERA sits under 3.80. He’s pitched over five innings in all but one of his appearances in 2024.

Eflin won’t be cheap, with the Rays potentially looking to capitalize on a player who has control through 2025. It’s been a while since Tampa Bay hasn’t been a contender, and the club, as of Thursday, sits at 45-47. The playoffs aren’t out of the question, but selling players may be the way the Rays end up going. Eflin would add consistency, veteran leadership, and a new look to the Red Sox’s current rotation. The price may not be as cheap as other options, but not going after the right-hander would be a mistake. Expect Boston to be interested in Eflin as the trade deadline looms closer.

1. Nathan Eovaldi – SP – Texas Rangers

Trading for a proven veteran arm at the deadline is something that World Series teams regularly do. Grabbing one that currently has the best ERA of his career makes it even more enticing. Having that pitcher be a two-time champion who spent four and a half seasons with your organization is the icing on the cake. Nathan Eovaldi was a Red Sox starter after arriving at the 2018 trade deadline. Boston ended up winning the World Series that season. It seems like a recipe for success to bring Eovaldi in once again in 2024.

Eovaldi understands the club and wouldn’t need to adapt, making this an easy decision. He currently has a 3.10 ERA over 15 starts, the best since his debut in 2011. Eovaldi was a fan favorite and, outside a bad 2019, never had an ERA over 3.90 with the Red Sox. This season, he’s been really strong. Over 87 innings, Eovaldi has 85 strikeouts, a 128 ERA+, and a low 1.034 WHIP. Every indicator points to the 34-year-old still having tons left in the tank. Boston needs to take advantage of that. 

The Rangers are in an interesting spot at the moment. After winning it all in 2023, Texas currently sits five games under .500 and 6.5 out of first place in the American League West. Fellow Rangers starter Max Scherzer recently spoke about how he will not waive his no-trade clause and believes Texas can turn it around. The front office may not agree though. Rumors swirl about whether or not the organization will sell. Eovaldi has a vesting option for 2025, but it’s unlikely that he will hit the innings requirement to activate that clause. The Red Sox, knowing they need starting pitching, can’t hesitate on this one. Eovaldi is a former winner with the organization and a proven weapon. If Boston has any sense of smartness in its brain, he is a Red Sox pitcher come July 30.

 

Photo Credit: © Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

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