The Trade Deadline Reality Check
The Red Sox made a bold move to grab Elly de la Cruz, but Cincinnati said no. According to reports, the Sox proposed an undisclosed prospect bundle to acquire the star shortstop. The Reds weren’t interested in sending their electric player to Boston. This news hits hard for fans who wanted to see that kind of speed and power in a Red Sox uniform. The front office clearly wanted to make a splash before the season ends, but they missed the mark on this specific deal. We have to look at what the Sox have right now instead of what they lost.
Andruw Monasterio has started at shortstop for 10 consecutive games now.
Chris Cotillo of MassLive noted that he is holding his own in the field. That is a solid start for a player who stepped up when the team needed him most. The organization also has Franklin Arias, a top prospect whose name swirled in trade rumors. A competing executive told The Athletic that the Red Sox may trade Arias exclusively for Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams. The Sox aren’t as high on other options like Zach Neto or Otto Lopez.
Pitching Depth and the Bullpen Plan
While the shortstop market cooled, the pitching room is heating up with a big return. Tanner Houck is back from Tommy John surgery and throwing multiple bullpen sessions a week in Fort Myers. The Sox “think he could be a factor down the stretch,” according to reports. Chad Tracy said it is feasible that if Houck gets back and stays right, that guy can help the team. This is huge news for a rotation that has struggled at times this season.
If Houck does return, he will join Brayan Bello in the bullpen. Bello has been outstanding as a long reliever while Payton Tolle and Jake Bennett are being tightly monitored for their workloads. Boston Globe writer Peter Abraham stated Bello might become a vital piece for this squad. It is a smart move to use a former rotation mainstay in a relief role. The team is finding ways to win even without the big trade they wanted.
Stay Focused on the Field
Sonny Gray knows how it feels to be the subject of trade deadline rumors. He told Tim Healey of the Boston Globe that he has a trigger inside him to change the conversation. “If I’m in a conversation with teammates and the conversation starts to go down that road, there’s a trigger inside of me that just immediately wants to change it,” Gray said. He added that it is nothing the players control and they should just do what they do.
The fans want a win, and the players are trying to deliver it. The trade for de la Cruz didn’t happen, but the team still has work to do. The Sox have earned the right to care about their season results. They must focus on the players they have right now.
