The trade deadline is rapidly approaching, even as the Red Sox’ annual second half slump complicates their ambitions. CBO Craig Breslow has stated quite matter of factly that he intends to use the trade deadline to improve the team, but we might be talking about small tweaks rather than big changes — think repainting instead of remodeling, maybe. One of baseball’s most respected insiders says not to expect too much, as “Boston is an organization that deeply values operating efficiently, and a market like this is the epitome of inefficient.” (Jeff Passan, ESPN)
Unfortunately, the Sox might have no choice but to target an infielder. Rookie Marcelo Mayer, who served as the team’s primary third baseman during Alex Bregman’s injury absence and has subsequently spent more time at second, left last night’s game after feeling a “tight grab” in his right wrist on a swing. He’ll have an MRI today. (Tim Healey, Boston Globe)
Unfortunately, though Bregman is back on the field, he’s clearly still struggling with his injury. And in an effort to avoid further injury, the Sox are deliberately forcing him to lay off the throttle on the field. (Chris Cotillo, MassLive)
What the Sox don’t need is an outfielder. They’ve been set at that part of the diamond for most of the season, thanks in large part to Ceddanne Rafaela, whose footwork and ability to adjust to the flight of the ball mid-route is making him one of the very best glovemen in the game. (Matty Wasserman, Boston Globe)
The Red Sox coaching staff credits Ceddanne’s background as an infielder in helping make good jumps in the outfield. Mookie Betts probably knows a thing about that, too. But Mookie and Ceddanne might not get a chance to hang when the Dodgers visit town this weekend, as Mookie is apparently dealing with some off-the-field issues that may cause him to miss this weekend’s series. (Matt Vautour, MassLive)
And finally, we’ve got new prospect rankings. Keith Law came out with his updated, post-draft top-60, and the Sox landed three players in there: Franklin Arias at #9, Jhostynxon Garcia at #46, and the recently drafted Kyson Witherspoon at #54. (Keith Law, The Athletic)
