The Boston Red Sox have been hit with untimely injuries to starter Eduardo Rodriguez and reliever Carson Smith, which have spurred trade rumors as of late. However, it seems as if president Dave Dombrowski is content at the moment and will wait to see how the team performs at the start of 2016.
Boston has been linked to the San Diego Padres regarding their starting pitching, and a number of other MLB clubs were reportedly interested in the Red Sox's outfielders, but nothing is imminent and it'll likely stay that way.
"Trades made this time of year are almost always about filling in the back end of your major-league roster or acquiring necessary depth, as was the case when the Red Sox acquired catcher Sandy Leon from the Nationals last spring," writes Tim Britton of the Providence Journal.
"That's why, despite the trade chatter surrounding Boston this past week, it remains unlikely the Red Sox will make any substantive trade before the start of the season."
Also, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune says the Pads are not in "active" talks regarding starter James Shields, whose been a speculated trade candidate for Boston.
Rodriguez and Smith starting the year on the disabled list won't be of any help, but Boston may have just enough to cope with the temporary losses. David Price is expected to bring stability to the top of the rotation and Craig Kimbrel will do the same at the back end of the bullpen, which is already an enormous upgrade from last year. The Red Sox did not have an ace and the 40-year-old Koji Uehara was their closer in 2015.
The talent and experience of Price and Kimbrel should be enough for the time being.
But Dombrowski may have to consider making deals later in the year depending on how things shake out. If Rick Porcello can't rebound from last year's horrific campaign (as well as this year's spring training) and if Clay Buchholz can't stay healthy or pitch consistently, a deal for a starter will almost be guaranteed before the non-waiver deadline. As for the bullpen, if Smith's flexor strain is a long-term issue and Uehara's "general soreness" affects him longer than expected, then Dombrowski will probably start poking around for help from outside the organization.
If Boston can stay afloat at the onset of 2016, then there won't be much to be worried about. However, if the Sox endure another slow start, there may be a big cause for concern considering they'e finished last in the AL East the past two seasons.
