Any discussion about the Boston Red Sox will have to center on what the team will do before the deadline.
If the Red Sox don’t turn things around over the next few weeks, it’d be tough to find a scenario where the team becomes buyers.
However, let’s say that the Red Sox do turn this around, and things start to go their way. For a team as talented as this, there’s no reason for Boston to continue to struggle.
If the Red Sox turn things around, they could be in the mix for some bullpen help. Every contending team in Major League Baseball needs lockdown relievers late in games, and there could be a few available.
In a proposed trade idea from Newsweek’s Zach Pressnell, they’d land St. Louis Cardinals right-handed closer Ryan Helsley for Franklin Arias and Jhostynxon Garcia, citing the team’s need in the bullpen as the reason why the Red Sox should make this deal.
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning at Oracle Park.
D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
“The biggest hole on Boston’s roster is the closer role. Aroldis Chapman and a few other pitchers have filled in the role, but Boston doesn’t have a shutdown guy to confidently go to in the ninth inning of a one-run game. The best closer expected to be available in a trade is St. Louis Cardinals flame-thrower Ryan Helsley.
“Helsley is among the best relievers in the game, but he’s on an expiring contract. The Red Sox could part ways with a few top prospects who are blocked by even better young talent in order to land the star righty,” he wrote.
Helsley is a very good arm, but it remains uncertain what the Cardinals plan to do.
They’re only 1.5 games out of first place in the below-average National League Central, and could realistically be staring at a division title if things go well.
However, if not, Helsley would be a great addition to this Red Sox bullpen. He posted a 2.04 ERA last season and led the league in saves with 49.
