ARE THE RED SOX DOING ENOUGH TO WIN IT ALL?

By Dave Little @DLittleMLB

With the flurry of trades that have happened recently, several teams that pose a risk to us winning it all have grown stronger. The Indians, a very likely playoff opponent, have solidified an already stellar bullpen with one of the best relief pitchers in the game. The Dodgers, someone who we could face in the World Series, added (a player who I cant stand) Manny Machado. With the days counting down until the trade deadline, we can also expect the Yankees, with their stacked farm system, to go out and get a starter to bolster that team. They just want out and grabbed one of the other (albeit not recently) left handed premier closers.

A common rhetoric across the internet is that the Red Sox do not have the prospects nor the salary space to create one of the trades that would give us the real edge. I am here to claim that this notion is simply not true. Michael Chavis, although he’s coming off a PED suspension is still a highly rated prospect. With a 60 Bat and a 60 arm (55 overall) at Third base, you can bet he would fetch a reliever we need. Jason Groome (injured) is still a 2-3 starter in his prime and is only 19 years old, standing at 6’6 and weighing 220! Tanner Houck, Bryan Mata, Cole Brannen, Darwinzon Hernandez are all young kids who could be packed to get a starter or reliever. Don’t forget about Jackie Bradley, who has seen some uptick in his bat. He is still on the cusp of being moved.

As for the salary, people need to realize that the most devote fan base in the league, with some of the largest TV contracts and home field revenue, owned by the same man who owns the Boston Globe, Roush Racing and the Liverpool soccer team may have a few extra dollars to spare. Don’t forget that John Henry has a major TV producer and founder of the Red Sox foundation as part of his ownership group.

If that doesn’t convince you, consider the fact that the Red Sox are already $10MM over the luxury tax threshold, and the CEO Sam Kennedy has said outright that he is willing to go even farther over as “we had a taste of October the last two years. Theres no question, were hungry for October success.”

This team will do what it needs to do for success. This is not the team of the 20th century that is unwilling to push the envelope. It’s a machine, both financially and on the field. And in order to field a team that keeps us, the devote fan, interested they need to compete. We may not have a stacked farm system or a huge salary availability, but I expect moves to be made to keep in our current spot as leader of this league. Baseball is a long season, and there is still time before the trade deadline. Moves are coming.

ICYMI: AVIDBOSTON PODCAST EPISODE 65!

SOX TAKE 2/3 vs. DET, TRADE INTEREST IN MOUSTAKAS/FIERS. WILL PRICE BE STARTER OR RELIEVER IN OCT? WHAT’S WRONG WITH DEVERS? AND MUCH MUCH MORE!!!