MLB Trade Speculation: 4 Players Red Sox Should Target Before It's Too Late

Normally, trade speculations begin a few weeks into July, but with the inability of the Red Sox to "right the ship" after a slow start, it seems a few moves might be necessary to help bolster a playoff run.

Anyone who has watched the Sox play knows offense is not the issue. Could they be better off upgrading one of their position players? Yes.

The fact of the matter is, the Red Sox are currently third in the MLB in runs scored, and BA and fourth in slugging and OPS. The offense is productive enough. 

The issue is pitching. Their pitching staff's ERA (4.60) is 28th in the MLB, and their WHIP (1.38) is 25th in the MLB. Felix Doubront is the only pitcher in the starting rotation with an ERA below 4.0.

In the bullpen, Scott Atchison (0.93 ERA, .194 opponent BA) has been the most reliable arm in a group that has been otherwise riddled with blown saves and losses. Alfredo Acevez has simply not shown the same brilliance on the mound he possessed last season, and it is starting to look like it might be better for the Sox if Daniel Bard takes the ball in the ninth rather than every fifth day.

All of this is of course, without considering the wildly unreliable John Lackey and Daisuke Matsuzaka. The Sox bullpen will be padded by Andrew Bailey's return after the All-Star break, but until then they might need some help treading water. Here are a few moves that make sense for the Sox, some under the assumption Bard moves to the bullpen and they need another SP, others with Bard remaining in the rotation.

All stats from Baseball Reference. 

RP/SP: Brett Myers, Houston Astros

Brett Myers is a starter-turned-reliever. His flexibility makes him a good fit for the Red Sox should they ultimately change their mind on Bard.

Myers is also currently pitching lights out for the Astros bullpen with 12 saves in 13 opportunities and a 1.59 ERA. The Astros currently sit five games out of first in the NL Central, but that gap will likely only widen as the season wears on, and Houston hasn't had any problem selling off valuable parts in the past (see Hunter Pence).

RP: Ryan Cook, Oakland A's

He is young, and the Red Sox would undoubtedly be buying high, but they are in desperate need of a shutdown reliever.

Cook has not surrendered a run in 23 innings of work in 2012 and currently has a WHIP of 0.70. They'll have to pay a premium for numbers like his, but at 24 years old, he could be a cornerstone of the bullpen for years to come.

SP: Roy Oswalt, Free Agent

This move makes so much sense, it is amazing it didn't happen at some point during the offseason. Acquiring Oswalt would simultaneously improve the Sox rotation and bullpen by allowing Bard to move into the closer role. In an injury-shortened 2011 season, Oswalt posted a 3.70 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. Not All-Star numbers by any means, but the Red Sox don't need an ace. They need a reliable arm that will last through six or more innings and not drain the bullpen.

He doesn't come cheap, reportedly asking for $7.5 million for his services at the beginning of the season, though that price will continue to drop as the season wears on. Most importantly, they don't have to trade for him.

RP: Josh Roenick, Colorado Rockies

Roenick is a journeyman reliever that seems to have finally settled in during his second year in Colorado. He's posted a 2.30 ERA and 1.28 WHIP over the 2012 season. Those numbers are affected by playing in hitter friendly Coors Field. Away from Coors, he has pitched dramatically better, with an ERA of 0.77 and and opponent BA of .179.

He also isn't as recognizable a name as Myers and Oswalt, and may come at a much cheaper price.