Red Sox No Longer Expected To Trade All-Star Hurler Ahead Of Opening Day
The Boston Red Sox have been in the headlines this offseason for their lack of offseason additions and trades, but that may be for the better this time.
The Red Sox were linked to a plethora of big names this offseason and were poised to make some notable additions to their pitching staff but those pursuits did not come to fruition.
The latest speculation falling through, however, could be deemed a good thing for the Red Sox's odds to compete next season.
"There has been a lot of talk about a possible (Kenley) Jansen trade," The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal said on the "Fair Territory" podcast on Monday. "I don't see it happening necessarily at this point."
Jansen had a 3.63 ERA, 52-to-17 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .237 batting average against and a 1.28 WHIP in 44 2/3 innings pitched across 51 games last season.
The 36-year-old still has solid trade value, but trading away the veteran is not where Boston's focus should be right now.
Jansen still provides solid production in the bullpen and has leadership qualities that would be very difficult to replace. Aside from his intangibles, dealing the team's lone All-Star from last season would only further weaken an already ailing pitching staff.
Right now, Boston should want to retain any stars that they already have on the roster since they have been against signing or trading for a notable name this offseason.
The only scenario where a Jansen trade makes sense would be to free up payroll for a Jordan Montgomery signing since principal owner John Henry has been seemingly strapped for cash lately when it comes to investing in his flagship franchise.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has to play by Henry's rules but it's a sad display if Boston has to trade their closer to sign a decent frontline starter while sitting under the luxury tax for the second consecutive season.
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