July 17, 2013 at 6:25 PM
ESPN Boston: Stocked with trade chips
The non-waiver trade deadline is just two weeks away, and as is the case every year, I’ve been getting lots of questions about what prospects the Red Sox may be willing to part with in a potential deadline deal. The club is certainly in an interesting position: While the front office may have gone into this season considering it to be a rebuilding year, the team has the most wins in the league as of the All-Star break. On top of that, the farm system is as stocked as it has been in several years, in terms of both top-level talent and depth.
On the one hand, Boston may be poised for a playoff run, especially if Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester can return to early-season form. On the other hand, the team has the potential to be loaded with young, cost-effective talent for years to come if it stands pat and refuses to unload its top prospects.
Ultimately, the front office will have a lot of options heading into the deadline. Here’s a list of potential trade commodities, broken down into five categories.
Check out the full column on ESPN Boston.