NEWSLETTER
I think this fully closes the door on any possible trade that would send an infielder from the Cubs – you know which one – to the Red Sox.
The Red Sox, creating a little coverage in the absence of Trevor Story, have added Adalberto Mondesi in trade:
It’s the second “selling” trade for the Royals in the last 24 hours (Michael A. Taylor – maybe they felt like they had to have a ‘Taylor’ on the roster at all times), which is a bit of an interesting thing. Taylor – the Josh one – is not so much a prospect, though, as more of a bullpen lottery ticket. He’d been a very good reliever for the Red Sox in 2021, but then back injuries derailed his 2022 season. I expect that the Royals are planning that he’ll contribute meaningfully in relief this year for them (and then maybe become another trade chip at midseason).
As for Mondesi, you probably know the name well because there was a time when he was considered a top prospect. The now-27-year-old shortstop is in his final year of team control at about $3 million, having never quite fulfilled the promise of his youth. Like Taylor, Mondesi is coming off a mostly-lost 2022 season (knee), and the Red Sox are going to be hoping he bounces back into at least something of a defensive whiz (the bat has been below average even in his healthy years).
