Did anyone see this turnaround coming from the Boston Red Sox?
The AL East club looked dead in the water a month ago. Now, they are in sole possession of the third and final American League Wild Card spot.
How did they do it? Well, a 14-game winning streak certainly helps. They’ve gone from obvious sellers to buyers at the upcoming trade deadline.
No longer should Sonny Gray, Aroldis Chapman and Jarren Duran be made available for trade. Instead, Boston’s front office should add to the roster, not subtract.
Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer predicted Tuesday that the Red Sox will trade for a first baseman having a breakout year for the Washington Nationals.
“They’re [Nationals] 51-50 after averaging 96 losses per year between 2021 and 2025, and Luis García Jr. is an increasingly large reason for the turnaround,” Rymer wrote. “He’s already topped his previous career high with 20 home runs, 11 of which came in June alone. And since he’s 26 and controlled through 2027, the Nats don’t need to sell high.”
How Garcia could fit with Red Sox
Garcia, 26, is not an obvious fit for the Red Sox, who have Willson Contreras at first base.
“If so, the thinking may be that Masataka Yoshida should not stand in García’s way in the designated hitter spot. Things wouldn’t get complicated until Roman Anthony’s return set up a clash with Jarren Duran for playing time in left field,” Rymer added. “But from the sound of things, the Red Sox shouldn’t hold their breath on Anthony.”
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Boston’s lineup could use more power. Garcia, who had never surpassed 18 homers before this season, has already set a personal best with 20.
That would rank him second on the Red Sox, behind only Contreras’ 22 long balls. Obviously, one of the two would have to accept a part-time DH role.
Realistically speaking, that shouldn’t be an issue if the Red Sox are hell-bent on making the postseason.
