3 Red Sox players Yankees fans are grateful weren’t sold at trade deadline

At first … New York Yankees fans wanted all these guys gone. They wanted the Boston Red Sox completely gutted, never to be seen again after the Aug. 2 trade deadline. In the end, Chaim Bloom didn’t really sell, though, and that worried some fans for down the stretch of the 2022 season because a fiesty Red Sox team fighting for a Wild Card spot would’ve been dangerous.

Turns out … the Red Sox have gotten worse by making additions at the trade deadline. Yes, they parted with Christian Vazquez, Jake Diekman and Jackie Bradley Jr., but they acquired Eric Hosmer and Tommy Pham. That objectively makes them better!

But they’re 7-13 since the All-Star break and 3-6 since the trade deadline. At 55-58, the Sox would pretty much need nothing short of a miracle to get into the postseason (they’re six games back of a Wild Card spot in the loss column, battling the Jays, Mariners, Orioles, Rays, Twins and White Sox) and make a run, so it’s just funny how that’s turned out to be the case when Bloom didn’t sell off any of the team’s most valuable assets. Of course, they’ve experienced miracles before…

That’s technically a good thing for Yankees fans because there’s little-to-no chance these big names remain in Boston once the offseason arrives. If we’re to judge the commentary from the clubhouse, as well as the Red Sox’ cost-cutting measures, how could you even dream of a return being in the cards?

While this could hurt the Yankees in the short term, Boston’s long-term vision took a hit when Bloom opted against receiving hauls for these three stars.

The Red Sox actually helped the Yankees by not trading these three players

3. Xander Bogaerts

There were loose rumors earlier in the offseason that the Red Sox might consider trading Xander Bogaerts at the deadline, but it never materialized. Perhaps many people at the time didn’t realize why that wasn’t a likely possibility, though. The man’s got a no-trade clause!

Here’s the story: Bogaerts has an opt-out clause in his contract after this season, which he’s sure to exercise because he’s out-performed the extension he signed a few years back. The Red Sox haven’t been engaging in any talks to rework his deal. That last part made some believe Bogaerts could be on the move if there was no future for the two sides.

But hear us out … why would Bogaerts waive his no-trade clause to help the Red Sox get value in return for him when they won’t pay him what he’s worth after all he’s done for the franchise? That’s why it was hilarious when the Red Sox came out and said they had no plans to trade the slugger.

Of course you had no plans! You don’t dictate his future! And he doesn’t want to help you after you’ve actively worked to not help him!

Yankees fans are glad he’s still here, though, because he would’ve brought back a pretty significant haul to Boston if he were traded. We’ll deal with him for two more months and watch him walk in the offseason.

2. JD Martinez

Supposedly (again, per loose rumors), JD Martinez opting into the final year of his contract with the Red Sox “screwed up their free agency plans” in the offseason. Poor billionaires. JD’s $19 million salary broke their back. Pour one out for John Henry.

If that were true, then why would the Red Sox keep him at the deadline when they were falling apart after the All-Star break? He’s a free agent after this season and there’s almost no chance he’s re-signed for his age-35 season and beyond.

According to other deadline rumors, Bloom was seeking a ridiculous return in trade talks with the New York Mets and a deal involving Martinez never came close to fruition. What were they expecting to get? Any solid package that also helped the Sox offload Martinez’s remaining ~$9 million would’ve been a win, especially if it meant adding more prospects to their No. 14-ranked farm system (per MLB.com).

Martinez could’ve certainly fetched a top-10 prospect! Maybe even a top-five if another team was desperate enough. But, per the deadline buzz, Bloom might’ve gotten a bit too greedy and chopped the head off of meaningful talks before they even began.

The five-time All-Star has largely crushed the Yankees throughout his career, so this might be a tough storm to weather for the next two months, but at least Boston’s outlook for 2023 and beyond didn’t get any stronger with him departing. Again, see ya never in the offseason.