With the Red Sox performance so far this season, they will most likely be buyers at the trade deadline. Boston is currently one of the top contenders in the American League. Because of that, the team will look to gear up for a deep playoff run. One of the players Boston may just have their eye on is Anthony Rizzo.
The Chicago Cubs are several years removed from their World Series title in 2016. The team currently sits 9.5 games back in the NL Central (as of July 20). At this point in a season, it could could be argued that 9.5 games behind the division leader is not insurmountable. That would require the Cubs to completely change their trajectory though, it may be in Chicago’s best interest to cut their losses this season.
Rizzo has been one of the main factors behind the Cubs’ impressive play over the last half decade. At 31 years old, he may be towards the end of his prime, but Rizzo still has a lot of baseball left in him. The Cubs may not want to part ways with Rizzo just yet because of that. After all, this could just be a down year for the Cubs who are actually the defending NL Central champs.
Red Sox first baseman, Bobby Dalbec. (Via the AP)
A first baseman like Rizzo would undoubtedly make a large impact on a team like Boston. Over his career, Rizzo has been a very consistent player on both sides of the ball. He is a 4 time Gold Glove winner and has consistently been able to bring in runs for his team. The Red Sox are not exactly lacking in the fielding and batting departments though.
Still, adding a player like Rizzo to an already solid team would only make the team even better. Rizzo would most likely replace 1st baseman Bobby Dalbec who has been decent this year. Dalbec though has shown issues with consistency, mainly with his strikeout issues at the plate. Rizzo would help bring more consistency to the line.
The only reason why the Cubs are not in last place in the NL Central is because they are in the same division as the Pittsburgh Pirates. Despite their division title in the shortened 2020 season, the Cubs most likely are now looking to the future of their ballclub. And unfortunately for players like Rizzo, that future most likely does not involve them. The Red Sox have a deep pool of prospects and have a need for a little bit more consistency in their line up. This makes Boston a prime landing spot for Rizzo.
While more consistency in the batters box is obviously good, the Red Sox though are most likely focused on perhaps picking up another starting pitcher. While Boston’s rotation has been very good this season, the cracks have sometimes shown themselves. Boston’s ace pitcher, Chris Sale is still on rehab assignment. Boston may want to bring in a new pitcher while Sale is still recovering. However, depending on the Cubs’ price for Rizzo, the Red Sox still may jump on the opportunity to bring in the first baseman.
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