An Early Look at the Top Boston Red Sox Trade Deadline Chips

The Boston Red Sox are in first place in the American League East in the early goings of the 2015 MLB season.  If things continue according to plan, the Red Sox should stay in contention all year.  As is often the case, Boston will likely be in the market to make some deals when the July 31 trade deadline rolls around.

Which players may find themselves on the move this summer?  In examining the Red Sox's top trade deadline chips, it's helpful to view them in two separate categories—those Boston has good reason to deal and those coveted by other teams that the Sox will prefer to hang on to.

Players Boston Will Be Happy to Trade

Shane Victorino

Bluntly speaking, Shane Victorino is the past, while Rusney Castillo represents the Red Sox's future in right field.  Boston doesn't want to pay Castillo $10.5 million this season to watch him toil away in Triple-A.

Unfortunately, the 34-year-old Victorino and his $13 million salary will not be easy to move.  The upside for the Red Sox is that this is the final year of his contract.  Could a playoff-bound club looking for a veteran bat with postseason experience be willing to trade for Victorino, knowing he'll come off its payroll at season's end?

Allen Craig

A former All-Star in 2013 with the St. Louis Cardinals, Allen Craig is a man without a position on the 2015 Red Sox.  Through 15 games, Craig has a total of just 17 at-bats.  Via MLB.com's Alec Shirkey, Craig said the following about adjusting to his limited playing time:

"

It's definitely not easy. It presents its challenges. But I think that I definitely find success. So it's just about staying positive and competing. …

I don't really allow myself to go there and think about it too much, to be honest with you. I just try to compete and do the best I can do in every at-bat, whether that's coming off the bench or starting.

"

One might think Boston should have no trouble finding a taker for Craig, who posted back-to-back seasons with more than 90 RBI and a batting average over .300 in 2012 and 2013.  However, Craig hit just .215 last year, and his contract is not particularly appealing.  The 30-year-old is making a reasonable $5.5 million at the moment, but he's due $9 million in 2016 and $11 million in 2017.

Daniel Nava

A career .272 hitter with little speed or power, the demand won't be high for Daniel Nava.  But he's only getting paid $1.85 million this season and is under team control for two more years before he's eligible for free agency.  A small-market franchise with a low payroll might be interested in Nava's services for the next few seasons. 

Since 2010, Nava has proven to be very capable as a platoon player in the Red Sox outfield.  Against right-handed pitchers, he has a career batting average of .292 and an on-base percentage of .383.

Jackie Bradley Jr.

During his first full season in the big leagues in 2014, Jackie Bradley Jr. played in 127 games for the Red Sox.  Bradley showed spectacular defensive abilities, even leading all major league center fielders with 13 outfield assists.  The 24-year-old batted just .198, though, and he lost his roster spot this spring to Mookie Betts.

While Betts looks to be entrenched in Boston's center field position for years to come, there's still time for Bradley to develop into a capable hitter and fill the same role elsewhere.

If the Red Sox do wish to deal Bradley, they may want to strike while the iron is hot.  He hit .378 with a .462 OBP in spring training and is batting .321 through his first 13 contests with Triple-A Pawtucket.

Valuable Chips Boston Won't Want to Let Go

Henry Owens

According to SoxProspects.com, Henry Owens is the No. 1 pitching prospect in the organization.  The Red Sox were unwilling to deal Owens last winter while they looked to improve their rotation, making it quite unlikely they'll have any interest in parting with him at the trade deadline as well.

There is a good chance the 22-year-old Owens will crack the major league roster this season.  In fact, ESPNBoston.com's Gordon Edes believes it is a certainty, writing:

"

That’s the way the Red Sox work. When they believe in a top pitching prospect who has performed the way Owens has since being chosen in the first round of the 2011 draft, they are not afraid to fast-track him to the big leagues. …

But while the Sox have a reputation for overselling their prospects, talk to enough scouts here and you’ll find their regard for Owens goes well beyond hype. They’ve taken note that the 6-foot-7 Owens is no longer a swizzle stick dressed in synthetic fabrics but a filled-out 220 pounds, the added muscle translating to increased velocity to both his fastball and curve.

"

A successful start to his major league career this summer could peak Owens' trade value, but it would also cause Boston to dig its heels in even further on keeping him. 

Blake Swihart

MLB.com's Prospect Watch lists Blake Swihart as the top up-and-coming young catcher in all of baseball.  As with Owens, to this point the Red Sox have held firm on their stance that Swihart is untouchable.  The recent season-ending Tommy John surgery for Christian Vazquez only served to increase Swihart's value in Boston.

Swihart is batting .304 through his first 11 games in Pawtucket this season.  Unless he undergoes a prolonged slump and appears incapable of hitting Triple-A pitching, it's hard to imagine the Red Sox will change their point of view.

Mookie Betts

After tearing through the minor leagues and knocking the cover off the ball this spring with a .429 average and .750 slugging percentage, the 22-year-old Betts is poised to be a breakout star.  Is there any reason to think Boston might consider dealing him?

Probably not, but Betts is off to a slow start at the plate in 2015.  In 14 games, he's batting .203 with a .273 OBP, although he has made a variety of spectacular plays in the field and on the basepaths.

As mentioned above, the Red Sox have great depth in the outfield.  Both Castillo and Bradley could prove to be exceptional center fielders, and Betts' trade value is through the roof right now.  What if Boston is offered an ace starting pitcher in exchange for Betts at the deadline?

It's not out of the realm of possibility that the Red Sox would at least consider moving their young phenom.

Mark Vandeusen is a Featured Columnist covering the Boston Red Sox for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @LucidSportsFan. Unless otherwise noted, all statistics via RedSox.com and contract information via Spotrac.com.