The Boston Red Sox are reportedly garnering interest from other MLB clubs on the trade market, but it's unknown if president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski is open to making a deal, especially after he said the team is not trying to acquire a pitcher (their biggest need).
Eduardo Rodriguez is set to start the season on the disabled list and Rick Porcello has not looked good in spring training, so there's been speculation the club might try and strike a trade late in the offseason to ensure their pitching staff gets off to a good start.
They could have a suitor in a fellow American League club.
"The Red Sox are one of the teams being targeted by clubs needing young outfielders, according to major league sources," writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. "Cleveland, for instance, loves Boston's young outfielders."
"The Indians have been pitching a trade, but Mookie Betts is untouchable, and it seems far-fetched that Jackie Bradley Jr. would be dealt unless the return were significant."
Cafardo also notes that the Sox would have to "eat some money" in order to move Rusney Castillo, who is 28 years old and owed about $60 million through the 2020 season. It's unlikely the Tribe would be interested in such a player, but that could change if such a deal is attractive in terms of the player swap and money.
Trade rumors surrounded Jackie Bradley Jr. during the second half of the season and at the beginning of the offseason, but the Red Sox reportedly told teams he was off limits. His second half surge has given the team a reason to believe in his future production, but if they really need pitching, are they really going to cling to him after just 74 successful MLB games? He still owns a stat line of .213/.290/.349 in his first 238 career contests.
Veterans David Murphy and Chris Young could also be targets for the Indians, but neither would make nearly as big as impact as the aforementioned names and Cleveland traded Murphy at the trade deadline last year to the Los Angeles Angels.
As Cafardo noted, the Indians have plenty of pitching to offer the Red Sox, even though Dombrowski said the team is not actively pursuing such an endeavor. However, that could change if the Indians are willing to offer up a number of their arms, which include Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar, Trevor Bauer and Cody Anderson. Any of those names would improve the Red Sox rotation, as Cafardo said scouts "don't think the team should be too excited about its starting pitching beyond David Price."
Cafardo also noted that the Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets are looking for outfield help. A number of those clubs have ample pitching depth, so there's no telling what might happen between now and Opening Day if Dombrowski were to loosen his stance on the matter.
