MLB Power Rankings: Where Red Sox stand at the All-Star break originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Red Sox limped into the All-Star break with series losses to their American League East rivals, the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees. The optimism that was inspired by their strong June has dissipated as they’ve now lost 10 of their last 14 games.
That skid, combined with their long list of injuries, has hurt their stock heading into the second half of the campaign. They’re still only two games behind in the Wild Card race, but Chaim Bloom and the Red Sox front office must now decide if this is a club worth investing in before the Aug. 2 trade deadline, or if they’re best served to look beyond 2022.
Could Red Sox selling at trade deadline lead Cora, Devers to walk?
There’s still plenty of baseball left to be played as 69 games remain on the Red Sox schedule. Here’s how they stack up against the other 29 clubs in our All-Star break power rankings.
All eyes are on Home Run Derby champ Juan Soto as the 23-year-old superstar is the subject of trade rumors after declining Washington’s $440 million contract offer.
Frankie Montas is the A’s star to monitor leading up to the Aug. 2 trade deadline. Fellow starting pitcher Paul Blackburn also could be on the move, especially after he had to hitch a ride to Los Angeles with the Houston Astros for the All-Star festivities.
Luis Castillo is the No. 1 starting pitcher on the trade market. The right-hander is under team control through 2023 and owns a 2.77 ERA with 82 strikeouts through 78 innings this season.
Who will end up with former Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi? How about Whit Merrifield? Those questions became a bit more complicated when it was revealed they — along with several teammates — are currently ineligible to play in Toronto due to being unvaccinated against COVID-19.
One bright spot for the Cubs this season has been veteran reliever David Robertson. A prime trade deadline target for bullpen-needy clubs, Robertson owns a 1.93 ERA with 48 strikeouts through 37 1/3 frames.
The Tigers were considered a sleeper team heading into the season. They haven’t lived up to the hype, and that’s largely due to their offseason acquisitions struggling mightily. Javier Baez is hitting just .213 and ex-Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez hasn’t been in contact with the club since being placed on the restricted list due to personal reasons.
The Pirates actually have been pretty fun to watch…