The Red Sox enter the final days before the MLB trade deadline certain to make a move or two, though unlikely to make the kind of blockbuster deal that went down a month ago when they sent off Rafael Devers to the Giants for a package of four players.
In outlining the team’s needs, just about everyone agrees that the Red Sox will be in the market for a starting pitcher, having taking a series of blows–injuries to Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford and Hunter Dobbins among them–this season that has depleted the team’s depth in the rotation. Garrett Crochet has been the ace that the team expected, but behind him, Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito and Walker Buehler continue to be wild cards.
“There are some intriguing starting pitchers who could be traded, including Sandy Alcantara, Zac Gallen, Seth Lugo and Taj Bradley. Everyone knows how much Breslow loves pitching. It will be somewhat surprising if the Deadline passes without him adding a new member of the rotation,” MLB.com insider Ian Browne wrote on Thursday.
Red Sox Need Offense at 1B
But the Red Sox are looking to upgrade other spots on the roster, including backup catcher, where Connor Wong has not inspired much confidence. If the team wants to make a real second-half impact, though, the area to improve is probably going to be first base.
The Red Sox have gone with the combo of Abraham Toro and Romy Gonzalez there, and they’ve hit above their expectations. That’s not a reliable duo, though, in the second half, and Boston badly needs an influx of power, especially on the right-handed side.
That’s where Orioles first baseman Ryan O’Hearn, the 32-year-old veteran of eight seasons, comes in. O’Hearn is on an expiring contract, and the Orioles probably do not have much use for him going forward–making him an ideal target for the Red Sox, who are reluctant to give up too many prospects or make long-term commitments at this year’s deadline.
Ryan O’Hearn a Strong Trade Candidate
O’Hearn was an All-Star this year, and is batting .281 with a .375 on-base percentage and a .452 slugging mark. That gives him a career-best .827 OPS this season. He could be had on the cheap for an Orioles organization that is looking to reset amid a miserable season that followed a pair of promising years.
O’Hearn will have other suitors, but taking the Mariners off the board will help the Red Sox chances of landing him.
Earlier in the week, ESPN listed O’Hearn as a top trade target among MLB contenders.
Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan pegged O’Hearn’s chance of being dealt at 85%, and wrote: “O’Hearn is having an out-of-nowhere career year, with an OPS+ of 137 (with the underlying metrics to support that) and being on pace for a career high in homers. He doesn’t face lefty pitchers much, and his splits suggest he shouldn’t. Best fits: Seattle, Boston, San Francisco, Texas.”
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