A number of weeks in the past, Pink Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow instructed reporters that the membership is dedicated to choosing a lane previous to the commerce deadline. That deadline is now simply over per week away, falling on July 30, and the Sox are nonetheless making an attempt to resolve on their method, studies Chris Cotillo of MassLive.
The Sox have been hovering round within the Wild Card chase for many of the 12 months however are coming off a three-game sweep by the hands of the Dodgers. That has knocked them right down to 53-45, one sport again of the Royals and Twins for the ultimate two playoff spots, with the Mariners, Rays and Tigers simply behind Boston.
Per Cotillo, the entrance workplace is contemplating all types of situations and is having exploratory talks with numerous different golf equipment. In these talks, Boston is reportedly centered on pitching and a right-handed bat, which aligns with what Breslow stated to reporters a few weeks in the past about his targets. Cotillo studies that this right-handed bat would ideally play a number of positions and that Luis Rengifo of the Angels is one goal.
Rengifo, 27, is flexible in additional methods than one. Defensively, he has performed all three outfield positions and the three infield spots to the left of first base. He’s not thought of an particularly sturdy defender wherever however that helps him slot into the lineup. Along with that, he’s additionally a switch-hitter.
He struggled when first referred to as as much as the majors however is within the midst of a strong three-year run with the Angels. For the reason that begin of the 2022 season, he has produced a line of .275/.325/.437. His 5.8% stroll charge in that point is subpar however he’s additionally restricted strikeouts to a charge of 16.1%. Total, that manufacturing interprets to a 112 wRC+, indicating he’s been 12% higher than league common. He’s additionally stolen 34 bases in 36 tries in that point.
That features a very sturdy line of .315/.358/.442 this 12 months together with 22 stolen bases, although there are additionally some flags. His .349 batting common on balls in play this season is properly past his profession charge of .290 and the .289 league common in 2024. He additionally landed on the 15-day injured checklist two weeks in the past on account of irritation in his proper wrist and has an unsure path again. As of some days in the past, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com relayed on X that Rengifo was fielding grounders, throwing and hitting off a tee, however with out concrete particulars of his upcoming timeline.
What additionally might complicate issues is how the Angels are approaching the deadline. It was reported a few weeks in the past that the Halos have a choice for under buying and selling rental gamers whereas holding onto controllable guys like Taylor Ward, Tyler Anderson, Griffin Canning and maybe Rengifo.
Whether or not that’s a real reflection of how the Angels are approaching the deadline or not stays to be seen. The membership is clearly not good this 12 months at 42-57 and there are causes to suspect they might be challenged in being higher subsequent 12 months. Their farm system isn’t particularly properly regarded and they’re closely dedicated to gamers like Anthony Rendon and Mike Trout, who proceed to be held again by accidents as they age.
Rengifo is making $4.4MM this 12 months and set for yet one more arbitration go earlier than he’s slated without cost company after 2025. He could be a wise commerce goal until the Halos actually imagine they’ve an opportunity at competing this 12 months, although his present harm standing may maybe make them wait till the offseason or subsequent 12 months’s deadline. Gamers may be traded whereas on the IL however his standing may impression the affords and reduce the possibilities of the Halos pulling the set off.
For the Sox, their lineup leans closely to the left aspect, with Tyler O’Neill, Connor Wong and Ceddanne Rafaela the one righties to be getting common plate appearances this 12 months. A righty bat subsequently makes loads of sense and Rengifo’s switch-hitting talents enable him to fit into that want. He’s hit .279/.323/.452 from the proper aspect in his profession in comparison with .243/.308/.373 from the left aspect, resulting in respective wRC+ tallies of 112 and 88. The break up has been much more drastic recently, as he’s hit .328/.368/.555 as a righty for the reason that begin of 2022.
Whether or not Boston can pull the set off on a deal there stays to be seen. Different righty bats with the power to play a number of positions who could also be obtainable embrace Isaac Paredes, Brendan Rodgers, Gio Urshela, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Nico Hoerner, Christopher Morel, Jonathan India and Abraham Toro.
A part of the explanation the membership is purchasing on this market is because of the disappointing season of Vaughn Grissom. Acquired from Atlanta within the Chris Sale commerce, he has missed time on account of hamstring strains in each legs. He’s solely performed in 23 video games for the Sox and hit .148/.207/.160 in that point. Per Sean McAdam of MassLive, supervisor Álex Cora indicated earlier this 12 months that Grissom could be the membership’s second baseman when he returned from his first hamstring pressure. However now that he’s again on the IL with a second pressure, he has no such ensures.
“We’ve to take all of the steps and get him stronger, get the athlete we envisioned,” Cora stated. “If we get that, then we’re going to get the participant after which the participant reveals up and we decide.”
In Grissom’s absence, Enmanuel Valdéz obtained a whole lot of rope however struggled and ended up optioned right down to the minors. A lot of the latest taking part in time has been going to David Hamilton, who’s hitting .268/.321/.405. That’s precisely league common however his protection has been good and he’s additionally stolen 25 bases in 28 tries. Grissom just lately started a rehab task and hits from the proper aspect, whereas Hamilton is a lefty. Theoretically, Grissom’s return might negate the necessity for the Sox to exit and commerce for a righty bat like Rengifo, but it surely seems like their confidence in Grissom is at a little bit of a low ebb proper now.