Why Red Sox-Giants Trade Comes With Crucial MLB Timing

The Boston Red Sox made another offseason transaction Wednesday with the acquisition of catcher Blake Sabol from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for international bonus pool money.

Yes, the Red Sox needed some catching depth that Sabol brings, but the move appears to be far more about what the Giants have planned. They’re likely to miss out on coveted Japanese ace Roki Sasai, though the Giants are doing what they need to in order to expand assets in a competitive stretch of the offseason.

Teams are rather active at the moment on the international level of player acquisition. Boston already made some moves on that front and Sasaki remains the prize of the pool since his posting from the NPB. His true window to sign began Wednesday and should finalize with a decision by Jan. 23.

The Giants reportedly have been told they will not land the ace, per The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly. They could still benefit from those extra dollars, but rivals such as the Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly explored similar transactions to add more money to their international pool funds in pursuit of Sasaki. As teams offer competitive pitches to Sasaki’s camp, it

The Red Sox did not meet with the right-hander despite other offseason starting pitching upgrades in Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler.