Purple Sox
Lower than 24 hours away from MLB’s commerce deadline, it stays unclear if the Purple Sox will choose to purchase or promote.
Lower than 24 hours away from MLB’s commerce deadline (6 p.m. on August 1), it stays unclear if the Purple Sox will choose to purchase or promote throughout this important juncture.
Very similar to final season, the Purple Sox might additionally choose to do a little bit of each.
However no matter course that Chaim Bloom charts for Boston over the subsequent day, the Purple Sox shouldn’t have any scarcity of property accessible to each unload for future items or deal with a view to bolster this present roster.
Right here’s a rundown of a few of Boston’s high commerce chips:
Adam Duvall, OF
Even when the Purple Sox do choose so as to add on the deadline, a veteran like Duvall does seem to be an apparent candidate to be flipped in what’s now a crowded outfield.
Initially introduced in as a steadying presence with some much-needed pop, Duvall has been on the skin wanting in at common reps given Jarren Duran’s shock emergence out in middle discipline. The robust play of each Alex Verdugo and Masataka Yoshida offers Boston three robust beginning outfielders already.
Duvall dominated in his first few weeks with Boston, slugging 4 dwelling runs and driving in 14 runs over his first eight video games in March and early April. However a damaged wrist sidetracked his 2023 marketing campaign, placing him on the shelf for 2 months.
Since getting back from the IL on June 9, Duvall is batting simply .208 with 5 dwelling runs and 15 RBI over 36 video games.
With Duvall presently on a one-year deal, Boston might flip him to a workforce in want of a beginning outfielder, with the Purple Sox handing common reps to Duran in middle and conserving Rob Refsnyder because the fourth outfielder.
The Phillies have some curiosity in Duvall, in line with FanSided’s Robert Murray.
“The Purple Sox, they’re making an attempt to keep up being aggressive this yr whereas additionally having an eye fixed in the direction of subsequent yr, which is why I believe they find yourself transferring free-agents-to-be,” Murray mentioned on “The Baseball Insiders” podcast. “An Adam Duvall kind makes a complete lot of sense. Possibly they’ll improve a unique a part of their roster for this yr and subsequent yr in a possible commerce to take action.”
James Paxton, P
A longtime pitcher like Paxton within the midst of a resurgent season might web a hefty return for the Purple Sox.
After a number of seasons misplaced to Tommy John surgical procedure and different illnesses, Paxton has been a powerful addition to Boston’s beginning rotation in 2023, posting a 6-2 document with a 3.34 ERA. Add in his one-year contract ($4 million in wage), and Paxton is precisely the kind of rental piece that a number of contenders will line up for on the deadline.
After all, the argument for conserving Paxton is that he’s been a key piece in Boston’s second-half surge, with the southpaw standing proper subsequent to Brayan Bello as arguably the 2 brilliant spots within the beginning rotation.
Even with reinforcements like Chris Sale, Garrett Whitlock, and Tanner Houck on the way in which, that trio’s harm historical past doesn’t precisely supply a lot when it comes to confidence of their skill to duck the harm bug as soon as once more.
By that very same token, Boston may also choose to promote excessive on a pitcher with a prolonged harm historical past in Paxton, particularly in the event that they assume the veteran doesn’t issue into their long-term plans.
On Sunday, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com tweeted that the “feeling of groups speaking to Purple Sox is that Sox must be blown away in the event that they have been to deal Paxton.”
Alex Verdugo, OF
Verdugo’s inclusion on this listing may come as a shock, on condition that his robust season has performed a big function in Boston’s present playoff push.
However in line with Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam of MassLive.com, the Purple Sox are certainly listening in on provides for the 27-year-old outfielder.
With one other yr of workforce management, Verdugo doesn’t precisely seem to be the asset that Boston would wish to transfer.
However with Durran’s emergence and outfield prospects like Ceddanne Rafaela making a push down within the minors, maybe Boston opts to promote excessive on Verdugo — particularly if the return brings in a controllable asset that addresses a extra urgent want, particularly within the rotation.
To this point, no talks relating to a contract extension between Verdugo and the Purple Sox have taken place.
Verdugo was arguably a snub for the All-Star Sport in 2023. By the primary 72 video games of the season, Verdugo batted .307 with 26 doubles and an .856 OPS by way of the primary 72 video games of the season, complimenting his play on the plate with Gold-Glove-caliber protection in proper discipline.
However since June 28 (22 video games), Verdugo is batting simply .148 with 12 hits, one double and simply seven RBI.
Ceddanne Rafaela, OF/2B
If the Purple Sox realistically wish to purchase influence gamers on the deadline (particularly gamers with time period), they’re going to have to empty a few of their promising prospect pool.
Rafaela has seen his inventory soar this season, with the 22-year-old tabbed as Boston’s No. 2 prospect on MLB.com and SoxProspects.com’s No. 3 rating.
Rafaela’s superior glove at each second and particularly within the outfield had him projected as a key utility piece within the massive leagues. However his elevated manufacturing on the plate provides hope that Rafaela can grow to be an on a regular basis contributor.
Since getting the call-up to Triple-A Worcester, Rafaela is batting .317 with six dwelling runs and 20 RBI over 25 video games.
His pace can be spectacular, with Rafaela swiping 30 luggage over 60 video games with Double-A Portland earlier this season.
Rafaela might earn a glance up with Boston later this season, particularly if the Sox transfer one other outfielder or two within the subsequent day.
But when Boston is making an attempt to deal for an influence participant, a cultured prospect like Rafaela that’s on the cusp of big-league reps may very well be an interesting goal.
Bobby Dalbec, 1B
Given each Dalbec’s age (28) and in depth time down with Triple-A Worcester, it appears unlikely that the Purple Sox would get a major return in any commerce involving the power-hitting first baseman.
Nonetheless, the case may very well be made that Dalbec deserves a shot up within the massive leagues someplace, with Boston now not a possible possibility with first baseman Triston Casas heating up on the plate.
Despite the fact that Dalbec’s contact charge has plummeted towards MLB competitors in his profession, he has offered loads of pop with Worcester. In 76 video games with the WooSox, Dalbec is batting .295 with a 1.017 OPS and 25 dwelling runs.
Maybe he’s only a tweener higher suited to dominate within the minors. Nonetheless, Dalbec hopefully finds a brand new dwelling sooner or later within the subsequent day.
Nick Yorke, 2B
Yorke, tabbed as Boston’s No. 3 prospect on MLB.com, is within the midst of a formidable bounce-back marketing campaign with Double-A Portland.
The 21-year-old second baseman has fashioned an efficient 1-2 punch with Marcelo Mayer in Portland, with Yorke bashing 10 dwelling runs and 43 RBI over 77 video games with the Sea Canines in 2023.
A bat-first possibility if he advances to the majors, Yorke may very well be an expendable asset within the short-term for Boston, particularly if Mayer takes over at shortstop within the coming years and Trevor Story slots again over to second.
Marcelo Mayer, SS
The crown jewel of the Purple Sox’ farm system, Mayer is projected to be Boston’s shortstop of the longer term.
A five-tool expertise presently taking part in with Double-A Portland, Mayer is almost certainly off-limits for Bloom and the Purple Sox.
However the 20-year-old is precisely the kind of participant that each different GM would decide up the cellphone for if Boston was to dangle him on the commerce market. Realistically, Boston isn’t even mentioning Mayer in talks until it was for a celebrity (Shohei Ohtani? Juan Soto?) or a key participant with loads of workforce management.
If Mayer does pack his luggage between now and Tuesday night, the Purple Sox are clearly swinging for the fences.
E-newsletter Signup
Keep updated on all the most recent information from Boston.com