The Zach Britton sweepstakes are over and done with and the Orioles have indeed traded the reliever within the division, just not to the Red Sox. With the Yankees adding to their bullpen that already includes names like Aroldis Chapman, the Sox are forced to look elsewhere for relief pitching.
It was reported Tuesday by Joel Sherman of the New York Post that the Red Sox are focused on two San Diego relievers, Craig Stammen and Kirby Yates. Stammen is 4-6 with a 2.76 ERA this season, while Yates is 3-0 with a 1.40 ERA. For a more in-depth look at the two relievers, click here.
It appears the Red Sox could be looking north.
The Blue Jays are shopping starter J.A. Happ, it was reported on Monday that the Red Sox were one of the teams that sent scouts to see Happ pitch. Andy Martino of SNY reported Tuesday that the price for the starter has dropped, as the Jays are now seeking a more "realistic" deal.
On top of Happ, Joel Sherman tweeted that Toronto is pushing to move relievers like Tyler Clippard and John Axford ahead of the deadline. Since the Jays are pushing to move three or four guys before the deadline, it wouldn't be surprising if they tried to get a deal done sooner rather than later.
Clippard, 33, is 4-3 with a 3.61 ERA and a WHIP of 1.1.20 in 50 games for the Blue Jays this year. Axford, who is 35, owns a 4-1 record in 44 games with a 4.69 ERA and 1.313 WHIP.
Jon Morosi of MLB.com reported that the Red Sox are one of the four teams who have inquired on Cincinnati's bullpen group, which includes Raisel Iglesias, Amir Garrett, David Hernandez and Jared Hughes.
It appears any deal Boston intends to make with the Marlins would cost more than the Sox are intending. Morosi tweeted that any trade involving Marlins reliever Drew Steckenrider would require the Sox to give up more than just Jay Groome or Michael Chavis in a one-for-one swap.
Groome and Chavis are widely regarded as two of the Red Sox' top prospects, but Groome is just coming off Tommy John surgery and Chavis has only logged 10 games since returning from an 80-game PED suspension.
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