If they do decide to make a move they will likely focus their pursuit on two areas that could use upgrades, the outfield and the bullpen. Here is a look at some potential targets in both realms.
David DeJesus, OF, Kansas City
The oft-rumored acquisition would become an even bigger target the second Jacoby Ellsbury shows any lag time in his rehab in Florida or another injury emerges in the outfield in the next two weeks. The 30-year-old is finishing up a five-year deal with the Royals, which has a club option for 2011 and a $500,000 buyout.
DeJesus, who is batting .326 in a career year, is due about $1.5 million after the break, so he is affordable cash-wise. Kansas City has been rumored to be asking plenty, knowing there are others who value his services. Teammate Jose Guillen, also in the last year of his deal, is another option.
Jayson Werth, OF, Philadelphia
Like DeJesus, Werth is at the top of most rumor lists when the Red Sox are involved. They have liked him as a player for some time and perhaps could see the 2009 All-Star as a long-term solution in the outfield — J.D. Drew’s contract is up after 2011.
Werth, 31, who leads the NL with 27 doubles this year, could fill that role until any new extension given to David Ortiz is done and then take over at designated hitter for the Sox down the road. That’s pure speculation. Until then, Werth is a candidate to play both corner spots, has played 86 career games in center and immediately gives an already strong offense another middle-of-the-lineup hitter.
Coco Crisp, OF, Oakland
Yep, I said it. Crisp should be a candidate to return to the fold if depth in the outfield is needed, most notably if/when Mike Cameron has to shut it down. Crisp never completely fulfilled expectations in Boston, but he was an important component to the 2007 title team (28 stolen bases, 85 runs, 145 games) and was red-hot to finish the 2008 season before leaving town.
Injuries have hampered Crisp’s post-Sox career. Yet, he remains just 30 and is still a quality defensive option. No knock on Eric Patterson, but he’s a poor man’s Coco Crisp.
Crisp has an affordable 2011 club option that Oakland may want to utilize, rendering his price tag at the trade deadline a bit higher.
Kerry Wood, RP, Cleveland
This move would remind many of the trade for Eric Gagne at the 2007 deadline. Wood is definitively past his prime and it remains to be seen how he would respond to a role in the seventh inning or so, and how he would do it in Boston. Gagne failed. Would Wood?
The 33-year-old has struggled to hang onto his closer’s role in Cleveland, posting just eight saves and a 6.30 ERA heading into the break.
Wood is finishing a two-year $10.5 million deal with a club option for 2011.
Scott Downs, RP, Toronto
This is the veteran lefty that the Sox could use in the pen, so long as Hideki Okajima continues to struggle, or even if he doesn’t. Effective against both righties and lefties, Downs is no stranger to Boston, having toiled for the Jays for six years, posting an ERA below 3.10 each of the last four.
Downs would be due less than $2 million for the remainder of the season if and when he joins the Sox. The price in terms of prospects could be hefty, given the number of teams in pursuit of a guy like Downs.
David Riske, RP, Milwaukee
The 33-year-old had a go-around with the Sox in 2006 but pitched in just eight games before being sent to the Chicago White Sox. He pitched parts of eight seasons in the AL and posted a 3.40 ERA in 393 games, so he has had success in the junior circuit.
Riske lost most of 2009 with Tommy John surgery but has returned in fine form, posting a 2.31 ERA in 12 games since coming back in June. It is doubtful the Brewers will pick up a 2011 club option at almost $5 million, so he could be dangled at the deadline.
