Red Sox Most Likely To Be Involved In a Trade

As the July 31 MLB Trading Deadline comes closer and closer, more and more rumors are coming about. The Boston Red Sox seem to be in the mix of things with all of these trade rumors, including the Halladay sweepstakes and the whole Victor Martinez trade. Boston has already made two moves recently by trading for 1B Adam LaRoche and swapping Lugo to St. Louis for OF Chris Duncan.

Boston's GM Theo Epstein, who spoke to media yesterday said, ""I think we plan to be very active in discussions in talking to just about every club out there and pursuing every player who can make us better now and in the future." So it is likely to see the Red Sox calling and receiving phone calls in the upcoming days regarding trades.

Now, I have composed a list of Red Sox players who are likely to be involved in any trade that might come up:

SP Brad Penny: Out of all the players I have named on this list, I feel like Penny is the most likely to be dealt. He is currently 6-4 on the year with a 5.02 ERA and he has K'ed 65.

Penny, to me, is the most movable piece. You have Smoltz pitching right now who is still trying to work his way in the American League and trying to get into a groove, and you also have Buchholz, who is aiming for redemption of last year, and Justin Masterson who can spot start whenever they need him. And also, Dice-K is rehabbing and is currently re-tuning his mechanics.

If Penny were to be traded, my best guess that Boston would get some young talent in return, or a solid bat that they can use for the bench, nothing too spectacular. Teams that might be interested in Penny for his services would be pretty much any team in the National League who is in contention of post-season play.

SP Clay Buchholz:Trading Buccholz would be the most risky move that Boston can make this trading season. Buccholz had one great start, a no-hitter, and then he later followed up last year with a poor performance. He has been called for some spot-starts this season, and has done alright with a 3.72 ERA over two starts, and he has been lights out in Triple A Pawtuckett.

The only way I think Epstein would trade Buchholz is if he received proven Major League player who produces good numbers, and whose contract won't expire at the end of this year. So no rent-a-players.

Speculations have been on Buchholz being moved in a package deal to Toronto for Roy Halladay, but I think those talks have died down quite a bit. But as of late, rumor has it that Buchholz could be packing his bags for Cleveland in return for C/1B Victor Martinez, who currently has 14 home runs on the year.

RHP Takashi Saito: Saito has been used in late game situations this season, but the Red Sox bullpen has a lot of depth, thanks to Daniel Bard, Justin Masterson, Ramon Ramirez, and Hediki Okajima. So if one reliever would be moved, my best bet would be Saito.

Saito is currently 2-2 on the year, with a 3.41 ERA, not too shabby.

Many teams would be intresting in Saito, pretty much every team, besides the Red Sox, are looking for bullpen help. I would expect that Boston would receive some young prospects, maybe Double A level in return for him, or maybe just a MLB role player.

1B Adam LaRoche: I know that Boston has just acquired him from the Pirates, but if the Red Sox are to acquire a big bat, it would most likely to be on the corners because of Mike Lowell's injury problems.

LaRoche isn't the big splash fans expect from Theo, but he does has 12 home runs on the year. The only way I'd see him being moved is either the Sox get Victor Martinez.

Other possible prospects: This is just too much to put on this list. But I think that Manny Delcarmen could potentially be moved for possibly a utility player or a prospect. His bullpen-mate, Justin Masterson, his name has been out there, but the only way I see him moved is in a package deal.

Pretty much any of these players, Lars Anderson, Masterson, Delcarmen, Michael Bowden, Daniel Bard, and Jeff Bailey would be only moved if it were going to be a package deal for example Halladay or Martinez.

As the deadline approaches, I am expecting to see the Red Sox make some minor moves, those are the most likely ones. You might see them go out and get a big bat like Victor Martinez, but you won't see Boston reeling in Roy Halladay, Toronto just wants too much.