Are The Red Sox Looking To Deal Another Veteran?

By Jacob Young, @DeflateThis



The Boston Red Sox may be looking to unload yet another veteran as the season continues to spiral out of control.

According to Fox Sports, the Dodgers and Red Sox have begun trade talks centered around Boston outfielder Alejandro De Aza, who the Red Sox acquired from the Orioles earlier this season.

The Dodgers have long been the frontrunner for Philadelphia veteran Chase Utley, but their pursuit of De Aza indicates a change of plans. With current second baseman Howie Kendrick injured, bringing in De Aza would allow LA to move Kike Hernandez to second base in his absence. 

On the surface, the idea makes sense, but if you look closer, it is not so simple. De Aza is a left-handed hitter, and the Dodgers already have three left-handed outfielders on their roster in Andre Ethier, Carl Crawford, and Joc Pederson. 

With De Aza only having one year remaining on his current contract, he would be a cheap rental who adds depth to a team currently in a playoff spot. Bringing in De Aza also gives the Dodgers the flexibility to move one of their aging, big-money outfielders and have little drop off in production. 

De Aza is best as a fourth outfielder or a platoon player, but no matter what the team has in mind for the 31-year-old, he is an extremely useful piece. Since coming over from Baltimore in June, he has a line of .313/.362/.520 in just over 50 games with the Red Sox. 

With the Boston Red Sox currently in last place in the American League East and a significant distance back of the Tampa Bay Rays who sit in fourth, De Aza's skills would be best used elsewhere. Moving him also gives the Boston coaching staff the ability to regularly play young outfielders such as Jackie Bradley Jr. But the move does not make a ton of sense for the Dodgers with their current group of players.

The Red Sox would be smart to unload De Aza while his value is high, but it is not clear how this trade helps the Dodgers. Should LA make a move to rid themselves of the contract of either Ethier or Crawford, this trade becomes a possibility, but as of right now don't expect Alejandro De Aza to be a Dodger.


By Jacob Young @DeflateThis