Former MLB GM hyperlinks Crimson Sox to 2 potential commerce targets at second base

The Crimson Sox’ prime offseason precedence hinges round pitching, however Craig Breslow and Boston’s prime brass may additionally wish to bolster their membership’s depth at second base.

With Trevor Story shifting over to shortstop for the foreseeable future following Xander Bogaerts’ exit in free company in 2022, Boston had a large void at second all through the 2023 marketing campaign.

Boston arrived on Opening Day in late March with Christian Arroyo slotted in at second. However that spot shortly grew to become a carousel for the Sox within the midst of a season the place accidents and ineffectiveness pressured Alex Cora to juggle the roster time and time once more.

The Crimson Sox nonetheless have three potential 2B on the present roster in Pablo Reyes, Enmanuel Valdez, and Ceddanne Rafaela. However an improve could be welcomed, particularly with Rafaela’s worth bolstered when he’s patrolling the outfield.

Provided that obvious weak spot on Boston’s depth chart, former MLB Jim Bowden harped on a pair of potential commerce targets for the Crimson Sox throughout his newest mailbag piece for The Athletic. 

Whereas fielding one query in regards to the Crimson Sox and the potential worth of a commerce for San Diego 2B Ha-Seong Kim, Bowden famous that the Padres possible gained’t transfer Kim, contemplating he’s making simply $8 million in 2024 and coming off one of the best season of his profession.

However Bowden did word that Boston has already reached out to a number of different groups looking for a viable choice at second.

“There is no such thing as a doubt that second base is a precedence for the Crimson Sox as they’ve already engaged in commerce talks with the Reds about Jonathan India and with the Yankees relating to Gleyber Torres.” Bowden wrote.

This isn’t the primary time that the Crimson Sox have been linked to Torres. As unlikely because it is likely to be that Brian Cashman and Breslow would work collectively to hash out a deal, WEEI’s Rob Bradford reported earlier this month that the Crimson Sox have lengthy been within the Yankees infielder. 

The 26-year-old Torres batted .273/.347/.453 with 25 residence runs and 68 RBIs in 158 video games with the Yankees final 12 months. He’s coming into the ultimate 12 months of arbitration eligibility and can possible make round $14 million subsequent season.

A possible swap centered on Alex Verdugo might placate the Yankees if Boston was fixated on bringing Torres aboard.

It would take a bit extra to persuade the Reds to half with India, contemplating the 26-year-old infielder nonetheless has one other two years of arbitration in place.

Final season, India slashed .244/.338/.407 over 119 video games with Cincinnati, slugging 17 residence runs and 61 RBI.

Given the staff management nonetheless in place with India’s contract, Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall mentioned final week that the group isn’t essentially seeking to transfer its second baseman.

“I wouldn’t say we’re motivated (to commerce India),” Krall mentioned, as transcribed by Josh Goldberg of The Rating. “If a deal comes round, we now have to be open to something. However simply motivated to maneuver gamers off your roster simply because ‘that man won’t match (a selected spot).’ That doesn’t make any sense.”

But when Breslow and the Crimson Sox are motivated sufficient to amass India, a deep prospect pool is likely to be sufficient to entice the Reds to take a seat on the negotiating desk.