The Boston Red Sox find themselves in a familiar position: hovering around the middle of the American League pack, showing promise but not quite looking like World Series contenders. With a 38-35 record and sitting 2 1/2 games back of a wild card spot, the team has roughly six weeks to convince the front office to be buyers at the July 30 Major League Baseball trade deadline.
For the Red Sox to make a serious postseason push, they’ll need reinforcements. Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow could make early moves to bolster the team’s depth and improve its chances of making a meaningful playoff run.
One potential target has recently emerged. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Monday that infielder J.D. Davis was designated for assignment by the Oakland A’s. Davis, who was cut by the San Francisco Giants in spring training, received only $1.1 million of his $6.9 million salary before signing with Oakland for $2.5 million. If not traded by the A’s, Davis will become a free agent.
Although Davis has struggled in the 2024 campaign with a .236/.304/.366 slash line, he remains a valuable depth option, too talented to be left on the waiver wire. The 31-year-old posted solid numbers in 2023 with the Giants, hitting .248 with 42 extra-base hits, including 18 home runs and 69 RBIs, and achieving a .738 OPS (104 OPS+) over 144 games. Defensively, Davis recorded six defensive runs saved, splitting time between third base (116 games) and first base (15 games).
Davis’s subpar start to 2024 with Oakland can be attributed to being part of a struggling Athletics roster. A change of scenery to a more competitive environment like Boston could rejuvenate his performance. With first baseman Triston Casas sidelined by injury, Davis could fill a critical need at first base while also adding depth at third.
Moreover, the Red Sox are currently missing David Hamilton, who is on the mend after experiencing the best stretch of his career. Adding Davis would provide another impact bat in the lineup and improve the team’s defensive flexibility.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Red Sox are in a pivotal position. Their performance over the next few weeks will dictate whether the front office sees them as contenders worth investing in. The addition of a seasoned player like J.D. Davis could be a strategic move to bolster their roster and enhance their playoff aspirations.
Red Sox fans can look forward to a potentially active trade season as the team strives to transition from hopefuls to legitimate contenders. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the team’s direction and their chances of making a deep postseason run.
