3. Ian Happ is a Red Sox trade target for the Cubs
Ian Happ has the potential to be this year’s Ben Zobrist, Adam Frazier, and others. He isn’t quite as versatile as they are in the field, but his track record of playing all over the diamond and as an outfielder makes him an attractive target for many teams.
In 2022, the switch-hitting 27-year-old is having another strong season, which bodes well for him becoming a hot trade target. Since the Red Sox have clear offensive needs in the outfield, they may decide to use him regularly at another position.
This season, the Red Sox have struggled at first base. Happ, who plays left field most of the time now, could be a good replacement for Bobby Dalbec and Franchy Cordero.
After this season, Happ will be eligible for another year of arbitration. There isn’t a pressing need to move him just now. He is, however, someone who should be on the move if the appropriate trade comes up. Will Bloom be the one to outbid Chicago with the best offer?
Any of these three things that the Chicago Cubs could trade to Chaim Bloom and the Boston Red Sox could be very helpful.
The Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs will be forever connected as the two major league baseball teams with long curses to blame for their failure to win a title. The only thing they might have in common this year is the presence of some players.
Both teams started slowly, but the Red Sox stormed back into the playoff race in April, while the Cubs were abandoned at a gas station a few miles away. The Red Sox are likely to make a deal before the deadline. The Cubs will continue to sell tickets in Chicago.
With a trade for any of these three Cubs players, Chaim Bloom has a chance to improve his team’s squad.
3. Ian Happ is a Red Sox trade target for the Cubs
Ian Happ has the potential to be this year’s Ben Zobrist, Adam Frazier, and others. He isn’t quite as versatile as they are in the field, but his track record of playing all over the diamond and as an outfielder makes him an attractive target for many teams.
In 2022, the switch-hitting 27-year-old is having another strong season, which bodes well for him becoming a hot trade target. Since the Red Sox have clear offensive needs in the outfield, they may decide to use him regularly at another position.
This season, the Red Sox have struggled at first base. Happ, who plays left field most of the time now, could be a good replacement for Bobby Dalbec and Franchy Cordero.
After this season, Happ will be eligible for another year of arbitration. There isn’t a pressing need to move him just now. He is, however, someone who should be on the move if the appropriate trade comes up. Will Bloom be the one to outbid Chicago with the best offer?
1. Chris Martin is a Red Sox trade target for the Cubs
Chris Martin, the relief pitcher, is already 36 years old. The simple Coldplay reference feels a little dated. He didn’t start pitching successfully until his second season with the Texas Rangers in 2019, when he was in his second year with the team.
He was moved in the midst of the season to the Atlanta Braves, where he pitched for two and a half seasons with a 3.30 ERA in 79 innings.
With a World Series ring in 2021, his time in Atlanta came to a close on a triumphant note. Following a strong but not fantastic regular season, Martin pitched 2.1 shutout frames in the World Series for the Braves.
He was off to a good start with the Cubs until he was battered by the San Diego Padres’ batters recently, raising his ERA from 3.71 to 5.09. He’s an obvious pick for Chicago to shop after signing a one-year deal this offseason.
This year, it appears that they correctly selected a few free agents for their bullpen. Unfortunately, the rest of the club didn’t put in enough effort to elevate them above the status of trade deadline sellers.
Bloom’s main goal this summer should be to bolster the Red Sox bullpen with quality arms. Martin is one of those players for whom an offer has been made who has recently played in the playoffs.
He shouldn’t be too expensive, either. It will allow them to look at any additional gaps they may have and have the assets on hand to fill them.