MLB Insider Buster Olney Floats Potential Red Sox Trade Target

Luis Rengifo has been a rumored trade target for the Red Sox, who could benefit from his bat, positional versatility and contract situation.

But maybe another player on the Angels roster could draw interest from Boston.

Los Angeles, which entered Thursday with a 45-57 record, should focus on selling before next Tuesday’s MLB trade deadline. Despite what their struggles suggest, the Halos have several players who could appeal to contenders, including Carlos Estevez.

“Carlos Estevez has what so many contenders are looking for — dominant stuff and experience closing games,” ESPN’s Buster Olney wrote. “The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have closers, in Clay Holmes and Kenley Jansen, respectively, but Estevez would provide either one of those teams someone who could take the ninth inning if the closer was weary or slumping.”

Jansen has been largely solid for the Red Sox, but Boston still could stand to improve the back end of its bullpen going into the final two months of the regular season. Alex Cora’s side returned from the All-Star break without Chris Martin and Justin Slaten, and the Sox immediately floundered in tight late-game situations in Los Angeles.

Craig Breslow on Wednesday effectively confirmed Boston will look to buy before the deadline, and the Red Sox chief baseball officer specifically cited pitching as a top need. As such, perhaps Estevez will receive a look from Boston.