A few weeks ago, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow informed reporters that the team is committed to determining its direction before the trade deadline. With the deadline now just over a week away, falling on July 30, the Red Sox are still contemplating their approach, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.
The Sox have been in the wild-card race for most of the season but recently suffered a three-game sweep by the Dodgers, bringing their record to 53-45. They are now one game behind the Royals and Twins for the final two playoff spots, with the Mariners, Rays, and Tigers close behind.
Cotillo reports that the front office is considering various options and holding exploratory talks with other clubs. The Red Sox are reportedly focused on acquiring pitching and a right-handed bat, aligning with Breslow’s recent comments. The ideal right-handed bat would be versatile, and one target is Luis Rengifo of the Angels.
Rengifo, 27, is versatile both defensively and offensively. He has played all three outfield positions and the three infield spots to the left of first base. While not an exceptional defender, his versatility is valuable, and he is also a switch-hitter. After initial struggles in the majors, Rengifo has had a solid three-year run with the Angels, posting a .275/.325/.437 line since 2022. His walk rate is 5.8%, but he has limited strikeouts to 16.1%, translating to a 112 wRC+, indicating he is 12% better than league average. He has also stolen 34 bases in 36 attempts.
This season, Rengifo has a strong line of .315/.358/.442 and 22 stolen bases, though there are concerns. His .349 BABIP is well above his career rate of .290 and the league average of .289 in 2024. Additionally, he is currently on the 15-day injured list due to wrist inflammation, with an uncertain return timeline.
The Angels’ approach to the deadline could also affect Rengifo’s availability. The team has shown a preference for trading rental players while retaining controllable players like Rengifo. Despite their poor 42-57 record and challenges for next year, the Angels may choose to hold onto Rengifo, whose current injury status might also impact trade offers.
For the Red Sox, adding a right-handed bat is crucial, given their left-leaning lineup. Rengifo’s switch-hitting abilities make him a good fit, particularly since he has been more effective as a right-handed hitter. Other potential targets for Boston include Isaac Paredes, Brendan Rodgers, Gio Urshela, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Nico Hoerner, Christopher Morel, Jonathan India, and Abraham Toro.
The disappointing season of Vaughn Grissom has also influenced Boston’s search. Acquired from Atlanta in the Chris Sale trade, Grissom has struggled with hamstring injuries and poor performance. In his absence, David Hamilton has been playing regularly, performing at league average with strong defense and base-stealing skills. Although Grissom’s return could address the need for a right-handed bat, the Red Sox’s confidence in him appears low.
