Red Sox All-Star Break Update
After the 11-3 start to the season the Red Sox thought they had an excellent shot at winning the division. But the 32-49 record that followed was probably more indicative of the real talent and enthusiasm level of the team than the first 14 games. Early in the season the Sox attempted to bolster the hitting component by acquiring slugger Paul Konerko who had a .938 OPS with the Brewers. But once he donned the old style B on his cap his numbers promptly dropped off to .776 OPS.
Showing no signs of improvement on July 3 the Red Sox shipped the face of the team, Dustin Pedroia, to Seattle in exchange for Jose Altuve and Ji man Choi, their current number 4 prospect. Altuve has posted an .893 OPS while Choi has a more modest .772 OPS in AAA Pawtucket.
The very next day the Red Sox dealt staff ace Jon Lester to Oakland in exchange for a package of 3 mid level prospects with Renato Nunez being among the more promising players in the organization in spite of being ranked down the ladder at #20. It will be interesting to see if the other two prospects Biggio (INF) and Kilichowski (P) can continue having success and reach the major league level.
Whether or not Ryan Dempster will be traded is something Red Sox are pondering as we approach the trade deadline.
So, the franchise will be trying to win as many games as possible keeping an eye on the future while doing so. There is a small core of young players that the Sox will try and compliment with prospects coming up, trades, and possibly a free agent acquisition in the off-season. But, still a long way to go and when you are but 6 games out of first anything can happen.
