Atlanta Braves Have What the Red Sox Need: Why Hesitate?

Jun 27, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price (24) looks on against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Boston Red Sox 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 27, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price (24) looks on against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Boston Red Sox 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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Jun 27, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price (24) looks on against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Boston Red Sox 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 27, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price (24) looks on against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Boston Red Sox 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

To rent or to buy large:  From the Red Sox’ perspective, they have to decide which course of action is best for their club – this year and those to follow.

These are the decisions that General Managers will be remembered for – good or bad.

The 2-headed brain trust in charge of such decisions for the Red Sox is named Dave Dombrowski and Frank Wren, with the former having the marquee title:  President of Baseball Operations.

Yesterday, the Sox addressed one problem, though potentially opened a larger hole in the process.  Aaron Hill was traded to Boston from the Brewers.  In the process, AAA starter Aaron Wilkerson went to Milwaukee – removing some pitching depth that they clearly need.

It’s also a interesting price to pay given that Wilkerson, while probably a back-of-the-rotation guy at best, was nonetheless throwing to a 2.14 ERA this season in 92 innings between Portland and Pawtucket (AA/AAA).

His age (27) will keep him off of most prospect lists, but obviously he’s pitching well.  Add to that the fact that Aaron Hill will be a free agent at season’s end, and this seems a fairly steep price, though opinions vary.

So with that as a backdrop, this is an attempt to assess the thinking that could be going on right now at 4 Yawkey Way in Boston.  In short, it’s getting complicated.

Next: Short Term/Long Term

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