The Boston Red Sox have a 6-15 record in July and a bunch of players battling injuries, and yet they remain just three games out of a wild card playoff berth in the American League.
It could be worse.
That said, if the Red Sox' slide continues over the next week, it will be interesting to see how the team approaches the Aug. 2 MLB trade deadline.
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If the Red Sox don't feel they can win the World Series this year -- which is probably a good bet regardless of how the next week unfolds -- then selling would be a good idea.
The real debate, in that scenario, would be whether trading Xander Bogaerts or Rafael Devers should be part of that selling. Based on comments Red Sox president Sam Kennedy made Tuesday on WEEI's "The Greg Hill Show", Boston hasn't talked about trades involving those two stars.
"Look, all I’ll say is there has been no discussion or commentary internally or externally about moves related to the trade deadline involving Xander or (Rafael Devers) or anyone else to my knowledge at this point," Kennedy said. "We’re focused on getting back in this thing and winning."
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When asked if he could envision Bogaerts wearing another uniform, Kennedy said, "No, I can't," before adding. "We’ve said it repeatedly on these airwaves and in other forums that we’ve got a responsibility to do everything in our power to make sure that we’re built to be competitive into the postseason. And Xander and Raffy and the guys who have gotten us there in the past, we hope they’re a part of this for a long, long time."
Tomase: Chaim Bloom has only one course of action over the next week
Trading Devers before the Aug. 2 trade deadline makes little sense. He is under team control for another season. There should be no rush to move him.
Bogaerts is a little different. He can opt out of his contract after this season and become an unrestricted free agent. If the Red Sox hold on to him past the deadline they run the risk of losing him for nothing in free agency, which would be a colossal mistake by management.
Trading Bogaerts would be painful. He's a really good player and has enjoyed tremendous success in Boston, including two World Series titles. But seeing him walk in free agency would be even more painful.
