The Boston Red Sox are reportedly interested in trading for the outfielder and first baseman Brandon Moss of the St. Louis Cardinals this offseason. Dave Dombrowski, Red Sox president of baseball operations, is said to be looking for another bat and glove in the outfield and Moss may be a good fit, according to the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo.
"Moss is an interesting, low-cost left-handed power option for a few teams, including the Red Sox. Dombrowski said he would be looking for a fourth outfielder, likely someone who could platoon with Rusney Castillo. Moss also would protect them at first base," Cafardo reported.
The 32-year-old outfielder from Georgia will be under team control through next season as he will be eligible for arbitration this winter. After previously expressing their interest in acquiring Moss back for the next season, the St. Louis Cardinals will probably non-tender or trade him away this offseason. That is because Moss is expected to garner a higher salary for the 2016 season following arbitration.
The Red Sox is looking for a fourth outfielder and someone to place at first base next season. If Boston does not feel comfortable with putting Travis Shaw at first base, then they may go after Moss for a veteran option. Aside from the Red Sox, the Baltimore Orioles are also rumored to be eyeing Moss to become their first baseman if they are unable to re-sign Chris Davis.
Boston has just finished another disappointing season, ending up in the lower ranks of the American League East for the third time in the last four years. Following a controversial offseason that started with former Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester joining the Chicago Cubs, the organization had apparently aggravated their problems by acquiring free agents Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez.
With all those issues, the team will enter the offseason with an obviously clear goal in mind--to upgrade its pitching staff. Dombrowski is reportedly analyzing his current roster already and is trying to see which pieces will fit and which ones to trade. According to SB Nation, some of the first casualties will likely be Wade Miley and Clay Buchholz.
Miley delivered a mediocre performance during his first year with the Red Sox, but he did what was expected of him and gave almost 200 innings of slightly above-average pitching for minimal cost. What makes him valuable to Boston is his good health record and team-friendly contract.
However, Red Sox might have some cheaper choices than Miley within their organization, and that is a reason trading him would make sense. MassLive.com reports that pitcher Steven Wright is a good alternative as he has shown reliability and consistency.
Furthermore, Boston will not have much leverage with Clay Buchholz as he is still recovering from this season-ending arm injury. He also has only one year remaining on his contract until he heads to free agency, making it easier for the Red Sox to move him via trade.
