The middle infield? Absolute chaos right now. Curtis Mead just took a nasty hit to the wrist and had to leave early. X-rays came back negative, sure, but the swelling is bad. This injury leaves the team with zero clear answers at shortstop. We need a fix fast before the season ends.
The Injury Chaos and The Hunt
Curtis Mead debuted last night and got hurt immediately. He played one more inning before swelling forced him out. Trevor Story and Marcelo Mayer are expected back, but not yet. Story hopes to start a rehab assignment soon. Until then, the position is wide open for anyone.
Craig Breslow is reportedly still hunting for a shortstop. Buster Olney says the market is notably thin for players there. The Red Sox have already looked at Zach Neto. They also have links to CJ Abrams of the Washington Nationals. The Nats are willing to trade him, though they are not actively shopping him.
Jeremy Pena seems to be off the table for Boston. The team might need to trade Franklin Arias to get a deal done. Arias just got promoted to AAA. A trade for either Neto or Abrams would likely require sending Arias away. This is a tough choice for the front office.
Why Abrams Is The Only Move
I think the Red Sox must go all in on CJ Abrams. Trading Franklin Arias for Neto feels wrong. Abrams is essentially who we hope Arias will become one day. It is a dizzying set of circumstances to consider. But Abrams offers a proven path forward right now.
The situation is fascinating because no one knows who will start in a couple of weeks. The team needs stability, not a guess. Abrams brings the talent and the defense we are missing. He is the kind of player who changes the whole dynamic of the infield. We cannot afford to wait for Story or Mayer if they are not ready.
Waiting is not an option when the pennant race is this tight. The Sox need a shortstop who can play every day. Abrams fits that bill perfectly. If they pass on him, they risk starting the playoffs with a broken infield. That is a risk no fan should have to take.
What do you think the Sox should do at shortstop? Do you trade Arias for Abrams or wait it out? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
