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7 Red Sox Who Could Get Traded At Deadline

BOSTON (CBS) -- With the trade deadline just over 24 hours away, the Red Sox front office should have a big "Open For Business" sign outside of Fenway Park.

The Red Sox once again find themselves well out of the playoff picture as the non-waiver trade deadline approaches, and are once again sellers. Unlike last year though, when they dealt Jon Lester and John Lackey, they don't really have too much other teams would really want.

But after seeing Shane Victorino get dealt on Monday, who has only appeared in 33 games this season, don't be surprised if some struggling Sox get a fresh start elsewhere come Friday afternoon.

Here are seven potential Red Sox who could get dealt by Ben Cherington by Friday's 4pm deadline.

Koji Uehara

Koji-Uehara
Red Sox closer Koji Uehara. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)

 

A huge question mark heading into the season, Koji Uehara has been one of the few bright spots on the team. The 40-year-old is 22-for-24 in save opportunities, with a 2.52 ERA and 0.87 WHIP. He's allowed just one run in his last 12 outings, a game-winning solo homer by Angels' slugger Mike Trout.

Uehara is signed through next season for $9 million, but he may be the only player to actually fetch a notable return on the current Boston roster.

Junichi Tazawa

Junichi-Tazawa
Red Sox reliever Junichi Tazawa. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

 

Tazawa is another bright spot from the Boston bullpen, but it's pretty unlikely the Sox deal him unless a team is desperate for some bullpen help. Taz has been solid out of the pen, allowing just 13 earned runs off 37 hits in 42.2 innings of work. He has 14 holds on the season, tied for ninth in the American League.

Tazawa is arbitration eligible after the season, so he wouldn't just be a two-month rental for anyone who trades for him.

Craig Breslow

Breslow doesn't fall into that "bright spot" category, but he's a lefty reliever. Teams tend to like lefty relievers at the deadline, even if they're aren't very good anymore.

Mike Napoli

Mike-Napoli
Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

 

There isn't really a premium for power-hitting first baseman batting .210 for the season (though he is batting .364 with a pair of homers and four doubles over the last seven days), but he's currently just a wasted roster spot in Boston. A free-agent after this season, it's only a matter of time until the former postseason hero is elsewhere.

Ryan Hanigan

Hanigan is signed through next season with a team option for 2017. The 34-year-old has been solid behind the plate, but Boston could turn the starting job over to rookie Blake Swihart, who was called up in May when Hanigan broke his hand. A Swihart-Christian Vazquez (out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April) tandem would be ideal for Boston next season, and dealing Hanigan would clear a path for that to happen.

Sandy Leon was not picked up after being DFA'd a few weeks ago, so he's out there if Boston needs another backstop for the rest of the season.

Alejandro De Aza

De Aza has played well since being acquired from the Orioles in June, but he's also standing in the way of Rusney Castillo getting consistent playing time. Boston likely wouldn't get much for the utility outfielder, but clearing a spot for Castillo would be the main return.

Jackie Bradley Jr.

Jackie Bradley Jr.
Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

 

The once promising prospect has been disappointing at the Major League level whenever he's been up, batting .191 in 179 career games. He's back up now to fill in for the injured Mookie Betts, but it may be more of a trade showcase over the next few days.

 

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