Quick Trade Fixes for Each of the Boston Red Sox's Biggest Weaknesses

The Boston Red Sox need to shore up several areas of their club if they wish to compete in the AL East in 2015.

While they’re rife with young, cost-controlled arms who profile as back-end starters or relievers, the Red Sox need to add starting pitching and impact relief arms. And while they boast talented young players like Xander Bogaerts, Mookie Betts, Christian Vazquez and others, they’ve been unable to solve third base via internal means.

Odds are, the Red Sox will take care of several of these deficiencies through free agency. The team already re-signed Koji Uehara to a two-year deal, and with big names like Jon Lester, James Shields, Max Scherzer, Pablo Sandoval, Hanley Ramirez and Chase Headley on the market, they’ll have a chance to add some star power to their club, too.

Yet the Red Sox are likely going to need to solve a few of their roster deficiencies via trade. And while it’s possible that they’ll pull off a blockbuster for an elite starter or cornerstone bat, it’s perhaps more likely that they’ll fill at least one or two holes with lower-profile moves instead.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the three areas the Red Sox stand to improve most—the starting rotation, the bullpen and third base—and explore smaller, quick-fix trades that could allow the team to allocate most of its resources to other parts of the club.

Starting Rotation

Red Sox fans, analysts and reporters alike seem fairly united in one front: The Red Sox need to sign one of the “Big Three” free-agent starters in Lester, Scherzer and Shields. After completely gutting their rotation at the trade deadline last season, the Red Sox lack anything resembling a rotation front man, and they have the cash to secure star pitching talent.

But Boston’s rotation woes go beyond lacking an ace, and they need to add two or three starting pitchers this offseason. While the Red Sox could choose to go back to the free-agent market to fill out their rotation, too, it’s very likely they use some of their depth to try to acquire a mid-rotation starter via trade.

Don Boomer/Associated Press

Since we’re just looking at “quick fixes,” let’s ignore the possibility of a trade for Cole Hamels, Mat Latos, Johnny Cueto or a pitcher of that ilk, since such an acquisition would require a lot of moving parts. Instead, let’s focus on a lesser pitcher who can likely be had for a more modest price: Ian Kennedy.

A former top Yankees prospect, Kennedy has had an up-and-down career since breaking into the majors in 2007. Unable to cement himself as a starter in New York, Kennedy had more success in Arizona, where he enjoyed strong seasons with the Diamondbacks from 2010-12.

Arizona sold low on Kennedy during a rough 2013 campaign, and their trash turned out to be the Padres’ treasure, as Kennedy rebounded to have a very strong year in 2014. However, the Padres don’t figure to contend next season, and Kennedy will be a free agent after 2015, so he figures to be available.

Last season, Kennedy posted a 3.63 ERA in 201 innings with a 9.27 K/9 and a 3.13 BB/9. Petco Park helped to mute Kennedy’s homer tendencies, and his command took a step forward from where it had fallen during his poor 2013 season.

Yet, Kennedy would be likely to give up more gopher balls in Fenway Park. But he’s also capable of sporting an ERA below 4.00 and throwing 200 innings if he limits his walks, and the price to acquire him shouldn’t be astronomical.

The Sox would need to give up talent to acquire Kennedy, to be sure. But compare the price needed to pry him away from the Padres to what they’d need to get Hamels or Latos, and Kennedy starts to look more attractive.

Kennedy is not an ace, but the Red Sox don’t need him to be if they pair his acquisition with a front-line starter. Slotting him in the No. 2 or 3 spot in the rotation will add depth and upside to a group that badly needs both.

Third Base

The Red Sox can’t go into 2015 relying on Will Middlebrooks as their everyday third baseman. We have more evidence suggesting he’s not a starter than we have that tells us otherwise at this point, and we’re now two-plus seasons removed from his breakout rookie campaign.

Brock Holt provided a huge spark for the Sox in 2014, but he was exposed in the second half. He remains an intriguing utility player, but he shouldn’t be expected to play every day.

That leaves the Red Sox with three choices for next season: Start Garin Cecchini at third base, trade for a third baseman or acquire someone to man the hot corner via free agency.

Given the way they were burned by relying on youngsters in 2014, it’s tough to see Cecchini getting the nod right away. And, according to CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman, the Red Sox are interested in both Pablo Sandoval and Chase Headley.

Yet the financial commitment required to sign Sandoval, Headley or Hanley Ramirez is significant. The Sox may decide to allocate those resources to the rotation instead and simply trade for a third baseman.

Much has been made about the Red Sox and Mets potentially lining up for a trade involving pitching, but the Sox could turn to New York and acquire Daniel Murphy instead, as noted by the Boston Herald’s Scott Lauber.

John Minchillo/Associated Press

An underrated player, the 29-year-old Murphy hit .289/.332/.402 last season, hitting nine homers and swiping 13 bags in 642 plate appearances. While he mainly played second base a year ago, Murphy has experience at third base, first base and in the outfield, too, and his left-handed swing and high-contact approach could bring some balance to Boston’s lineup.

Murphy is set to be a free-agent after the 2015 season, but acquiring him could give Cecchini or Middlebrooks another chance to prove they belong by mashing in Triple-A. Plus, Murphy’s status as an impending free agent lowers his price tag, and it’s not hard to see where the Mets and Red Sox could find common ground.

Perhaps the Sox can base a deal around Shane Victorino if the Mets are still looking for outfield help, or perhaps New York would prefer a package built around an Anthony Ranaudo or Allen Webster. Players like Deven Marrero, Bryce Brentz, Drake Britton and Brandon Workman would all be in play, too.

Both teams could also expand the deal, and we could see a package built around Yoenis Cespedes or see several prospects head to New York for Murphy and a player like Jon Niese or, if the prospects are elite, Zack Wheeler.

But even if the two teams stick to a simplified version of the deal, sending Murphy to Boston for a decent package makes a lot of sense, even if it’s not the flashy move many Red Sox fans desire.

Bullpen

With Craig Breslow’s option declined and Burke Badenhop and Andrew Miller on the free-agent market, the Red Sox have three or four spots to fill in their bullpen before the 2015 season begins.

Edward Mujica, Junichi Tazawa and Tommy Layne figure to join the newly re-signed Uehara in Boston’s bullpen, and additional players like Workman, Webster, Alex Wilson and Britton could figure into the equation, too.

That being said, the Red Sox could certainly stand to add another high-leverage reliever to their squad, and given the poor history of significant free-agent contracts for relievers, the smartest way to do so may be through a trade.

Alan Diaz/Associated Press

The Sox could opt to make an under-the-radar move for a solid depth piece, much as they did when they traded for Badenhop last year. But they also have the players needed to make a bigger splash, and trading with the Miami Marlins for Steve Cishek would make sense for all parties involved.

A 28-year-old right-hander from Falmouth, Massachusetts, Cishek has quietly excelled since he came into the league in 2010. Last year, Cishek allowed a 3.14 ERA in 65.1 innings, striking out 84, walking just 21 and saving 39 games.

The Marlins may be competitive next season if Jose Fernandez returns to form, but they need offensive help and are constantly looking for ways to decrease their payroll. Cishek is going to get more expensive as he hits arbitration, and Boston could provide Miami with a cost-controlled reliever, some offensive help or a prospect in return for Cishek’s services.

Could the Marlins be interested in a deal revolving around say, Daniel Nava, Wilson and a lesser prospect for Cishek? Perhaps they’d prefer to go younger, and the Sox could build a deal around Brian Johnson or Eduardo Escobar. If Boston eats some money, Allen Craig could be part of a potential trade, and Middlebrooks should be available, too.

Cishek could serve as Uehara’s primary setup man in 2015 and 2016, as well as insurance should the 40-year-old closer falter once more. Plus, Cishek won’t reach free agency until 2018, so he represents a long-term investment for the Sox.

Trading for relievers is always a scary proposition, but betting on a relatively young, consistent performer like Cishek would still be safer than doling out big money to one of the free-agent closers on the market.