The Red Sox Should Sell

The 2023 MLB Trade Deadline is approaching and thanks to way too many wildcard spots, a lot of teams could be looking to buy. Boston is currently one of those teams just outside the playoffs looking in. Normally, teams in such a position would be premier buyers. However, with how mediocre the team has been all season, and the opportunities in the market, the Red Sox would be fools to be one of those buyers.

More playoff spots means more teams buying. More teams buying means more competition for available players. More competition drives the price of players up. Boston could buy, but with how high the asking prices could be they’d have to reach deep into their farm system to make a move. They are also several pieces away. It would take more than one or two big moves to get this team to even make a real push for a wildcard spot. I don’t think I need to explain why selling your future for just a wildcard spot is a bad idea. This isn’t Tampa, or Seattle. This is Boston and if you’re not going to be able to make yourself a true World Series contender today, you might as well begin preparing to be one tomorrow.

So many teams are inquiring about starting pitching. The Rays, Orioles, Blue Jays, Reds, Dodgers, Astros, and Diamondbacks are all gunning for quality starting pitching. Names like Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, and Lucas Giolito have been rumored to be moved but the closer we get the deadline more and more pitchers are said to be unavailable. The Sox have a bunch of bullpen arms that are always a need this time of year, while players like James Paxton and Nick Pivetta aren’t getting any younger and might never have value this high again. Any pitcher over the age of 30 and is able to be moved, should move. There is zero reason to keep them other than to have a worthless wildcard spot. Adam Duvall and Justin Turner should be moved as well if teams call. Especially a 39-year-old Turner who definitely will never have this much value ever again.

Buying is the dumbest thing the Red Sox could do in a situation like this. Being a premier franchise means chasing championships, not playoff appearances. Sell what you can, don’t be afraid to tank a little and improve that draft position and farm system. In modern baseball, championship contenders are made through acquiring prospects. And if there is one thing Sox fans are willing to admit Chaim Bloom can do, its draft prospects.