Red Sox 2023 Trade Deadline
Before we begin the trades and grades of everything that happened around the deadline, let’s give a good analysis here.
Going into 2023, there were many questions going in. Pitching was a soft spot. Kluber past prime, seeing Sale back, and the same rotation arms called night after night leaving fans furious night after night.
Meanwhile, the Orioles and Rays are fighting for first place in the division with both teams most likely making the playoffs.
The Blue Jays added an arm and a depth piece in the lineup. They haven’t gotten yet either. They are a serious threat. A team under-performing and underachieving, but on paper better than the Red Sox.
Then the Yankees… Ummm, an identity crisis that is in limbo. Biased or not it’s weird. April oh yeah, different story. August? Meh.
Now to the Red Sox. Is the fandom sick and tired of Chaim Bloom? Oh yeah. For at least a year. But, why go all-in when this was a 4th place team at best going into the year and are a 4th place team now?
The moves were uneventful, and granted they should be. Why make a splash and not make the playoffs? Are they better than Baltimore, Tampa, and/or Toronto? No! Texas or Houston (one will win division and the other in Wild Card)? No!
Are they better than Seattle or ANAHEIM (Yes I said it), debatable?
Yankees? Also debatable given the night.
That said, nothing crucial should have been made. There were three trades made and they are all cause for concern.
Kike Hernandez to the Dodgers for RHP Nick Robertson and RHP Justin Hagenman
Grade - B+
Kike wasn’t going to be here come 2024. So in return, the Red Sox got two bullpen arms. This bullpen the last two years has been taxed.
Nick Robertson -
At 6’5” and 265 pounds he has an above average fastball in the mid to upper 90s with a slider that needs control. Welcome to the Boston Bullpen.
Justin Hagenman - At 6’3” 205 pounds the reports are saying average stuff and what I would describe as a “Quadruple-A Player”. A guy that can eat innings but will find himself on the shuttle between MLB and Triple-A frequently.
Rather “trading him for a bag of balls” as some put it, they got value. A need now. Why not two arms to help this feeble bullpen?
Bradley Blalock to the Brewers for INF Luis Urias
Grade - D-
Congratulations Bloom. You just traded a starting pitcher and now the 15th highest prospect in the Brewers farm system for a guy hitting equivalent to Christian Arroyo how fans are all fed up with. Why?
If that’s the case why trade Kike? It’s a backwards move? We know what Luis Urias is.
Scouting Report for Bradley Blalock
(Grades show 20-80 in increments of 5)
6’2” at 200 pounds
Fastball - 60
Curveball - 55
Slider - 50
Splitter - 50
Control - 50
I’d have to hear why this move was made. He’s in A ball and a starting pitcher making his mark. I just don’t understand this move. Is it future or now? And why a starting pitcher with qualities for this infielder that isn’t rather amazing?
Marques Johnson to the Giants for Mauricio Llovera.
Grade - C
A low end prospect for a relief pitcher who was a mop-up guy for the Giants. ERA is around 1.17, but are those high pressure innings or late innings mopping up the floor when the team is down?
Either way I don’t hate a low end prospect for a little MLB bullpen depth.
Questionable takes -
Did Adam Duvall have any value to be traded? He’s on a one-year deal and not sure if he will be brought back. The outfield is crowded for the Red Sox between Yoshida, Duran, and Verdugo.
Was there a desire to trade James Paxton for anything? It’s his walk year after a declined club option for 2024.
Also, fun fact. In 2024 for 12 men on the roster, it accounts for a little over 157M. There are 14 more guys to pay from rookie deals and pre-arbitration. Wow… that does include deferred money but that’s less than 5M. This is all thanks to Spotrac.
That all said, your 2023 Red Sox. Waiting for hockey and basketball to start…