Having missed out on Anthony Rizzo, the Boston Red Sox decided to go instead for one of his old teammates.
The Red Sox are landing Kyle Schwarber, who is on the IL with hamstring injury, but will be ready to go again soon:
The Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a deal to acquire Kyle Schwarber from the Washington Nationals, according to sources familiar with the situation.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) July 30, 2021
The #Nats are receiving right-handed pitcher Aldo Ramirez back from the #RedSox in the Schwarber trade.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 30, 2021
Whole lotta confirmations out there, so this trade is happening. And that return looks to be about right – Ramirez is a top 15 to 20-ish prospect in the Red Sox’s mediocre system. The 20-year-old righty is having some success at Low-A this year.
With the Red Sox, Schwarber could DH a bit, though JD Martinez mostly has that locked down. So he’ll probably do some outfield, some DH, and then the question … do the Red Sox dare try him out at first base on the fly? That’s where their biggest need is (hence the Rizzo rumors).
Meanwhile, how freaking weird is it that the AL East race – together with the Rays – is now going to feature Anthony Rizzo’s Yankees facing Kyle Schwarber’s Red Sox? This is so weird. So very weird.