The Boston Red Sox have a problem with their roster, albeit it’s a good one to have. At the moment, the problem isn’t presenting itself, but once Alex Bregman returns, things will get tricky.
In a segment on Fair Territory, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal reports that with the return of Bregman, the Red Sox and Craig Breslow will have to make a difficult decision.
“It seems to me,” Rosenthal said. “That when Bregman gets back, or even when Wilyer Abreu gets back, Craig Breslow as President of Baseball Operations is going to have to really take a look at this roster, and maybe do something to be creative: and I’m talking about possibly a trade.”
Rosenthal, mentioning the Red Sox and Breslow will lean towards a trade to resolve their issues with the roster, means that Boston would send away one of their players.
With a crowded roster, Boston would do better to send one of their players, likely an outfielder, away to bring in other positions. There are two players Rosenthal named, one being Jarren Duran, who’s been at the center of trade rumors in the last week.
“Now, I don’t know if that’s Duran,” Rosenthal said. “I don’t know if that’s Abreu, I don’t know exactly how you do this, because all these guys we’re talking about are guys you want on your team.”
If the Red Sox are in a situation where, once Bregman returns, they decide to trade one of their outfielders, it’s most likely going to be Duran. With Duran being 28 years old, three years older than Abreu and four years older than Ceddane Rafaela, the Red Sox sending Duran away makes the most sense of the three.
The reason why the Red Sox would have to move a player like Duran is because of all the young talent they have on the roster. Marcelo Mayer, Roman Anthony, and Kristian Campbell are top prospects and players the Red Sox should try to develop in the Major Leagues.
As the Red Sox get closer to the return of Bregman, the potential departure of Duran creeps closer to becoming reality. Boston would get a solid return for Duran, likely targeting a first baseman or starting pitcher.
But, they’d lose a fan favorite in the process. It’d be bittersweet, but in the long run, for the Red Sox, it could be the move that helps them compete for the next half-decade.
