Red Sox heavily linked to 20-home run Nationals slugger ahead of MLB trade deadline

Red Sox heavily linked to 20-home run Nationals slugger ahead of MLB trade deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>With only a couple weeks until the trade deadline, the Boston Red Sox seem like they are opting to wait a bit longer before committing to one path or another.

>If they keep going as strong as they have been, being buyers is most likely what they’ll do. Their top priority will be getting a slugger, and a guy like Washington Nationals infielder Luis Garcia Jr. could be their guy.

Garcia has been heavily linked to Boston © Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images

Just in the past 48 hours, multiple sources have linked Garcia to the Red Sox. First, it was The Athletic, as writers Will Sammon and Spencer Nusbaum believed Boston profile as a good fit, as he can slot in at first, second, and shortstop.

>MassLive was the next link, as Sox writer Sean McAdam also linked Boston to the slugger, and so did Red Sox insider Hector Gomez.

>Overall, it seems that Garcia is one of the more likely bats Boston will pursue if they decide to be buyers at the deadline.

Garcia could give Boston what they need © Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

Washington’s first baseman could be a perfect fit in Boston. He’s having a career-best season, slashing .279/.312/.545/.857 with 16 doubles, 20 home runs, and 68 RBI in 92 games played.

>He would also not be a rental, as he has one more year of arbitration after this season, so the Red Sox would not have to pay him or lose him when this season ends.

>Some people argue that because he’s only played first and DH this season, he wouldn’t be a good fit. However, he’s a natural second baseman, as he has played over 500 games in that position. He’s also played almost as much shortstop as he has first base, so Boston has options on where they would want to put him.

Should Boston pursue him? © Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images

If the Sox continue this win streak and overall dominant run, then yes, they definitely should. He checks the boxes offensively, and brings them depth at first, while also being able to primarily play multiple other positions that need some help.

>It also won’t bite them in the long run, as while Garcia will cost assets, he won’t drain their farm. While he’s not a long-term fix, he could be the guy to get them over the hump come October.

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