Thursday opened with some optimism on the Red Sox trade front as Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that a key team on the MLB player market–the Diamondbacks–had determined they were willing to be sellers with a week to go before the deadline. That was especially good news, potentially, for a Red Sox offense that has been inconsistent and could use better production from the first-base spot, where the Abraham Toro/Romy Gonzalez platoon has been decent but lacking in power.
The hope was that the Red Sox could swoop in on Diamondbacks first baseman Josh Naylor, a left-handed power bat who delivered 31 homers last year in Cleveland. Naylor slipped a bit this season, but operating on an expiring contract, it appeared as though Naylor was the kind of hitter Boston could land.
But then came the news on Thursday evening: Naylor was traded. And not to Boston.
Josh Naylor Traded to Mariners
Here’s what Rosenthal and fellow Athletic writer Zack Meisel wrote:
“The Seattle Mariners have acquired Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks, a league source told The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. In exchange, Seattle will part with No. 11-ranked prospect Brandyn Garcia and right-hander Ashton Izzi, who ranked No. 19 on Keith Law’s Top 20 Seattle prospects list ahead of the season.”
Sigh. It’s back to the drawing board for the Red Sox, who might be hard-pressed to find a better fit for what they need and what they’re willing to give up for an offensive jolt at next week’s deadline.
Red Sox Have More Options
The Red Sox are in sole possession of the third wild card spot in the A.L. and in a de facto tie for the second spot with the Mariners–thus losing out on Naylor is a double-whammy.
The Yankees lead the wild-card race, 2.5 games ahead of Boston and Seattle. Three teams (the Rays, Rangers and Guardians) are at or above .500 and within 3.0 games of the Red Sox.
The Red Sox need to address two major spots in the coming week, and the Diamondbacks still could help with one–a starting pitcher. Rosenthal reported that Arizona will have Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen available for a trade in the coming days. Third baseman Eugenio Suarez, who has hit 36 homes and leads the league with 86 RBIs is the big prize, but the Red Sox are not interested in him.
Red Sox Have Other 1B Options
Losing out on Naylor does not put the Red Sox out of the first-base market altogether, but it does limit their options. Orioles slugger Ryan O’Hearn makes big-time sense for Boston, too, as he is batting .281 with an OPS of .826. He is on an expiring contract, and it makes sense if he is the next target up with Naylor gone.
The market gets thin at first base after that. Nathaniel Lowe, who has been a solid hitter with decent power for his seven-year career, is a possibility, but he has struggled with the Nationals this season, hitting .226 with a career-low .686 OPS in 102 games.
Red Sox Suffer Blow as Trade Target Dealt to AL Playoff Rival