Could Jon Lester be one of the players on the move after another tough week for the Boston Red Sox? (Photo by Kelly O’Connor via SittingStill.smugmug.com)
The Boston Red Sox had an unsuccessful road trip with a 2-5 record against the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays over the past seven days. The offense was stagnant at times after a 14-run outburst last Monday night at Rogers Centre. The pitching was pretty solid, but the bullpen let the starters down a couple times.
In the weeks to come, the Red Sox will look to play spoiler as a 10.5 game deficit is almost unheard of to come back from and the way this team has played is way too streaky to go on a run to try and make it back into the race.
Jake Peavy Out
The Red Sox agreed to deal Peavy to the San Francisco Giants on Saturday for a couple minor league pitching prospects who were rated in the top-10 in the farm system of the Giants entering this season.
The 33-year-old was pitching among trade talks the last couple months and his 1-9 record was the worst on the Red Sox squad through 20 starts this season. His 4.72 ERA and 20 home runs allowed did not help anything, but the team was able to get something of value back while also splitting the remainder of the contract with the Giants.
Lefty starter Edwin Escobar and right-handed reliever Heath Hembree were the two players acquired in the deal and were sent to Triple-A Pawtucket. Hembree was the closer for Triple-A Fresno and had 49 saves under his belt the last two seasons. Escobar was the No. 2 prospect in the farm system, but struggled this season with a 3-8 record to go along with a 5.11 ERA. These players provide even more depth in the pitching depth for the organization
More Players Could Be Traded
With the team struggling, it looks as if the Red Sox will be selling off pieces and looking forward to April 2015. With one trade already completed, more players want in on the mix.
Mike Carp and Felix Doubront have made statements saying they want out to their playing situations. Carp had barely played since being activated off the DL and Doubront feels as if he is a starting pitcher and does not like coming out of the bullpen.
Players like Jonny Gomes, Stephen Drew, Jon Lester, John Lackey, Andrew Miller and even Koji Uehara have all surfaced as potential trade targets for other teams and with the Red Sox out of contention it might be time to see what the team can get for these pieces.
All of these players could net at least something in return and the Red Sox need to consider all their options as the non-waiver trade deadline approaches Thursday.
Going Forward
The Red Sox have six games this week at Fenway Park and have the Blue Jays and New York Yankees on tap. The Red Sox need to pitch well this homestand in order to really play spoiler as both these teams are in the hunt for the AL East crown as well as a Wild Card spot.
Prediction: 4-2; the Red Sox have been better at home than on the road and a solid six-game stretch might be just what the Red Sox ordered as the team heads into August at the end of the week.