Red Sox showing interest in three relievers

After this past weekend’s disastrous series loss to the league-worst Orioles, it is fair to wonder just in what direction the Red Sox should go at this year’s trade deadline. Just by the standings, where they are three games out of a playoff spot, it seems like an easy decision to buy. However, given the state of their farm system — improving, but far from a finished product — and more importantly the lack of luster in their play this year, there is a very fair argument that they should not be dong anything drastic this month. That is a discussion for another day, though. At least according to reports from Jon Morosi, the Red Sox are looking at a few potential trade pieces to help their bullpen down the stretch. Sunday afternoon, Morosi reported the team was evaluating Daniel Hudson.

Then, later Sunday night, he reported the team had interest in Kirby Yates and Ken Giles as well.

These are three very different targets and would have different factors into their cost. Hudson is the worst of the three, having pitched to an impressive 2.72 ERA but with peripherals that suggest he is not nearly that good. Yates is the best of the three, having emerged as an elite reliever the last two years. Giles has been a little less consistent than Yates in recent years, but he has elite upside in his own right. Both Giles and Yates are under control for 2020 as well. Someone like that would be a logical addition if the Red Sox are going to make one, because even if things go poorly this year they will need relievers in 2020 as well.

Ultimately, nothing about these reports make it appear anything is imminent, but we’ll continue to monitor the situation.