The latest on the Red Sox's trade rumors
After 49 days, Alex Bregman is back.
It's been a wild ride. One that has landed in a most unexpected spot. Not only did the Red Sox not throw up on themselves when navigating the twists and turns of this Bregman-free existence, but they are disembarking with an unexpected smile on their face.
When Bregman injured his quad on May 23, there were a few expectations. For starters, the idea that he would be returning before the All-Star break didn't seem like a reality. And, secondly, the hope of keeping their collective head above water without the guy who had been their best player seemed like a pipe dream.
But here they are as one the three wild card teams, riding a seven-game win streak while living life five games over .500. For context, the Red Sox sat at exactly .500 seven weeks ago, living the life of a team desperate for an identity, along with a win streak of more than two games.
Anyone who has been paying attention to any of these recent games - including the 4-3 win over the Rays Thursday night at Fenway Park - knows Bregman is jumping back into an entirely deeper pool of optimism.
The Red Sox sit with the majors' fifth-best OPS (.765), almost identical to the production this team claimed with Bregman playing (.757). The Sox still have the sixth-best OPS out of Bregman's usual spot in the batting order (.848), with their third basemen managing a collective .839 OPS, which is the second highest of any big league club.
Also, the primary replacement at third base, Marcelo Mayer, only made one error at the position in Bregman's absence. That was another huge part of the solution.
The most important statistic, however, is the most obvious one: Wins. With Bregman out, the Red Sox went 24-19, which would be more victories than all but nine MLB teams (including the Yankees).
So, they made it. Now what?
Things do look different. In that last lineup Bregman was part of, Rafael Devers was the team's most feared hitter, possessing a .972 OPS, and Kristian Campbell was still being relied upon as the regular second baseman. In case you missed it, neither are around anymore.
Back then, Ceddanne Rafaela and Trevor Story were offensive liabilities. Now? Both have been some of baseball's hottest hitters over the last month, while Romy Gonzalez's OPS has jumped by just about 200 points.
And, remember, Roman Anthony was still just a glimmer in the Red Sox's fans' eyes 49 days ago.
Nobody wants to hear the always-uncomfortable refrain that the team is getting a fantastic trade deadline acquisition in the form of a returning player, so that we won't go down that road. But let's say that the additions of Masa Yoshida and Bregman should scratch right where this team itches.
What the return of a healthy Bregman does is allow for a more narrow focus when it comes to outside-the-organization help. Pitching. Pitching. Pitching. That should be the Red Sox' target, and, judging by scuttlebutt around the league, it is.
The idea that the Red Sox could get to the All-Star break's doorstep in this spot seemed nearly impossible after hearing about Bregman's quadriceps-induced plight. And that reality only entrenched itself deeper after the post-Devers downturn.
But here they are. Bregman's back, and so is legitimate July excitement about baseball in Boston.
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To make room for Bregman on the roster, the Red Sox are optioning infielder David Hamilton to Triple-A Worcester,