The Boston Red Sox have made their first move of the trade-deadline season, trading utilityman Kiké Hernández and $2.5 million in cash to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Triple-A relievers Nick Robertson and Justin Hagenman. This trade addresses the Red Sox’s need for bullpen depth as they look to lighten the load on their three full-time starters.
The Red Sox bullpen has been heavily relied upon in recent weeks, pitching a league-leading 88 innings in July. With the addition of Robertson and Hagenman, the team hopes to alleviate some of the strain on their relievers. Both pitchers have the ability to rack up strikeouts, with Robertson likely taking on a late-inning relief role and Hagenman potentially serving as a bulk reliever.
Robertson, 25, was ranked as the No. 25 prospect in the Dodgers system by Baseball America. In Triple-A this season, he posted a 2.54 ERA with 42 strikeouts and nine walks in 28 1/3 innings. Although he struggled in his nine big-league appearances, allowing seven earned runs in 10 1/3 innings, Robertson has shown promise with his 94-95 mph fastball and effective changeup.
Hagenman, 26, has a 2.78 ERA with a 27 percent strikeout rate in Triple-A. He throws a low 90s fastball along with a slider and a changeup. While he is considered “intriguing, but fringy” by evaluators, the Red Sox are interested in developing his starting potential in Triple-A.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom expressed his satisfaction with the trade, stating that they were able to acquire pitchers they believe can help the team. He highlighted Robertson’s accomplishments in Triple-A and his potential to make an impact at the major league level. Bloom also praised Hagenman’s versatility and expressed the team’s desire to get to know him better.
While this trade addresses the Red Sox’s immediate need for bullpen depth, Bloom acknowledged that it may not be the final addition to the pitching staff. The team will continue to explore different possibilities and evaluate potential pitchers in the coming week.
Trading Hernández, who has struggled both offensively and defensively, was a necessary move for the Red Sox. Despite having to pay a portion of his salary, the opportunity to acquire two promising pitchers in exchange for an underperforming veteran utilityman is seen as a small win for the club.
However, if the Red Sox want to remain competitive in the postseason race, they will need to make additional moves before the trade deadline. The team recognizes the importance of bolstering their pitching staff and will be actively looking for opportunities to improve.
In conclusion, the Red Sox have made their first trade of the trade-deadline season, acquiring relievers Nick Robertson and Justin Hagenman in exchange for Kiké Hernández. This move addresses the team’s need for bullpen depth and provides them with two promising pitchers who can contribute at the major league level. While this trade is a step in the right direction, the Red Sox will need to make further moves to strengthen their pitching staff and remain competitive in the postseason race.