MLB Insider Buster Olney Floats Potential Red Sox Trade Target
Luis Rengifo has been a rumored trade target for the Red Sox, who could benefit from his bat, positional versatility and contract situation.
But maybe another player on the Angels roster could draw interest from Boston.
Los Angeles, which entered Thursday with a 45-57 record, should focus on selling before next Tuesday’s MLB trade deadline. Despite what their struggles suggest, the Halos have several players who could appeal to contenders, including Carlos Estevez.
“Carlos Estevez has what so many contenders are looking for — dominant stuff and experience closing games,” ESPN’s Buster Olney wrote. “The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have closers, in Clay Holmes and Kenley Jansen, respectively, but Estevez would provide either one of those teams someone who could take the ninth inning if the closer was weary or slumping.”
Jansen has been largely solid for the Red Sox, but Boston still could stand to improve the back end of its bullpen going into the final two months of the regular season. Alex Cora’s side returned from the All-Star break without Chris Martin and Justin Slaten, and the Sox immediately floundered in tight late-game situations in Los Angeles.
Craig Breslow on Wednesday effectively confirmed Boston will look to buy before the deadline, and the Red Sox chief baseball officer specifically cited pitching as a top need. As such, perhaps Estevez will receive a look from Boston.
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Injured Red Sox Infielder Nearing Potential Return
In a sign he could be nearing a return, Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas could start a rehab assignment by the end of this week, Craig Breslow, the club’s Chief Baseball Officer, said on Thursday. Casas has been out since mid-April. There have been varying reports regarding his return timetable over the last few months. But a direct statement from someone within the organization points to a positive sign in the 24-year-old’s progression.
Triston Casas Nearing Potential Return to Red Sox Lineup
Casas has been out since April 20 when he sustained a left rib strain during a swing. Originally, he was placed on the 10-day injured list. However, just a week later, Casas was transferred to the 60-day IL, where he has been since. Reports began as early as May that the first baseman was trending towards returning, but that never materialized. Casas has been on and off with baseball activities during points of his rehab.
As of Thursday, Casas is now taking full batting practice, a new and comforting sign for Red Sox fans. He had previously struggled to swing the bat occasionally due to the nature of his injury. Breslow did not specifically state when Casas would begin his rehab assignment. It appears that previous reports that he wouldn’t be back until September are false, though.
“I think he could find himself in rehab games pretty quickly, as quickly as potentially the end of this week,” Breslow said on The Greg Hill Show. “He’s made quite a bit of progress over the last week or so.”
