2019 Trade Deadline

chawson

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Aug 1, 2006
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There are exactly eight weeks until this year’s trade deadline, which as you recall carries more significance after rule changes prohibiting August waiver trades.

The Sox are currently 7.5 games behind the AL East-leading Yankees with a full 14 games against them yet to play. They’re tied for the second Wild Card with a overperforming Rangers team, and one game ahead of Cleveland and Oakland, who could easily turn it on.

As I understand it, the Sox have a luxury tax payroll of $241,269,167, which is a $4,730,803 gap before they hit the $246MM top tax threshold. If I’m not screwing up these back-of-the-napkin calculations, this means they could theoretically take on the prorated salary of a player (or players) making roughly $14 million in 2019 if they make a trade on *exactly* July 31, assuming no other salary subtractions.

They have, in my view, at least one substantial hole in the bullpen to fill. And depending on how the 1B/2B shuffle shakes out with injuries and ineffectiveness hitting Moreland, Pearce, Holt, Nuñez, Pedroia, and possibly Chavis, they might be able to use someone there (though Brock has had a nice 21 PAs since returning from injury).

Not sure if they’re looking to throw yet another body in the right side of the infield, but one guy I’d throw out there would be Logan Forsythe. He seems like a swing change guy this year, putting up a .388 wOBA with excellent contact skills and plate discipline while making $2M. The Rangers would have to fall out of the race, of course.

Other ideas?
 

Cesar Crespo

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Dec 22, 2002
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cheap lefty reliever rental like KC's Diekman or SF's Watson/Smith
Yeah. I could see making some other small moves but none that matter much or make sense roster wise.

Another idea for 1b if Moreland becomes an issue is to just go with Josh Ockimey. He is completely useless vs lefties but he can mash vs righties.
This year vs R: .261/.427/.626, 11 HR, 32bb/40k in 150 PA.
This year vs L: .104/.254/.292, 2 HR, 10bb/18k in 59 PA
Last year vs R: .273/.393/.531, 18 HR, 57bb/100k in 336 PA.
Last year vs L: .186/.269/.295, 2 HR, 13bb/49k in 145 PA.
 

chawson

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Aug 1, 2006
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If Moreland’s injuries pile up I’d be interested in Justin Smoak. He’s mashing the ball this year and it could make a nice audition for a two-year bridge to Casas.
 

DanoooME

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Mar 16, 2008
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If Moreland’s injuries pile up I’d be interested in Justin Smoak. He’s mashing the ball this year and it could make a nice audition for a two-year bridge to Casas.
He's a FA after this season. The Jays picked up his option at $8M.
 

chawson

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Aug 1, 2006
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He's a FA after this season. The Jays picked up his option at $8M.
Yeah. My thinking is that if we need him this year we’d probably want to try to retain him. We’d need to replace (or re-sign) Moreland and Pearce anyway, and if Chavis’s bat is going to stick he’s probably more valuable staying at second.