Most baseball fans know the offseason is the time most teams make trades or sign free agents.
With the Boston Red Sox just having been eliminated from the playoffs, it seems like it’s time to look for some new players. With their lack of power this season it seems like it would be a smart idea to go after somebody with a lot some pop, but who?
Five-time All-Star, 2010 MVP and Gold Glove first baseman Joey Votto could fill that void. Votto ended his 11th season with the Cincinnati Reds batting .320 with 36 home runs, 100 RBIs and an OPS of 1.032. Votto’s averages per 162 games are a .313 batting average, .969 OPS, 29 home runs and 94 RBIs. If on the Red Sox, Votto would instantly be their best hitter.
If a trade is to be worked out between the two clubs, it is likely the Red Sox are going to have to part ways with a few top-tier prospects. And with that, Mitch Moreland would likely be a goner in free agency also.
One of the prospects the Red Sox could deal would be first baseman Josh Ockimey. The 21-year-old batted .274 with a .820 OPS and 74 RBIs during the 2017 minor league season while spending time with the Salem Red Sox (Class A-Advnced) and Portland Sea Dogs (AA).
Another prospect in the trade could be starting pitcher Jalen Beeks. The 24-year-old started 26 games with 11 wins, eight losses, a 3.29 ERA and a 1.214 WHIP with the Portland Sea Dogs and Pawtucket Red Sox (AAA) in 2017.
Votto, who has a no-trade clause, has stated on multiple occasions he loves Cincincati and does not want to go anywhere else. However, that doesn’t mean if the Red Sox can’t try and pry him away from the Reds.
