Boston Red Sox: Stock up, stock down

After a three-game sweep of the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox (37-35) seem to be gaining momentum even though they still remain last in the American League East. Here are Red Sox who are trending up — and down.  

Stock up

Masataka Yoshida, left fielder: The 29-year-old outfielder is a bright spot for the Sox, with seven home runs and a .308 average. Yoshida, who spent the first seven years of his professional career in Japan, has endeared himself to teammates and fans with his play.

"The ball jumps off his bat, [he] hits the ball hard, all parts of the field. He hits fastballs, splits, curveballs, doesn't matter," Red Sox's DH Justin Turner told ESPN, adding, "Every at-bat is a good at-bat."

Yoshida has also dispelled the notion that he couldn't generate power because of his 5-foot-8 frame. A left-handed hitter, Yoshida could contend for AL Rookie of the Year, although he isn't interested in the award, per ESPN.

Adam Duvall, center fielder: The do-it-all outfielder is hitting .339 and getting on base on a little more than 40% of his at-bats. The right-handed slugger has played lights-out most of the season despite a recent slump after returning from an injury.

MLB insider Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic and Fox Sports told Mass Live that Duvall could be on the trading block. With management looking to rid itself of expiring contracts, that makes sense. Duvall could be gone by the Aug. 1 deadline. 

Stock Down

Chris Sale, pitcher: After signing a five-year, $145 million deal in 2019, the Red Sox expected Sale to be their ace, but he has failed miserably to meet those expectations. On June 9, the team put the injury-prone pitcher on the 60-day injured list with shoulder inflammation. 

“Hoping for the best,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said following Sale's last performance, per MLB.com. “Obviously, it didn’t look great. The velo was down in the [fourth] inning. He went from 95 to 90.”

After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2020, Sale hasn't pitched well or often because of injuries. Over the 2021 and 2022 seasons, he went 5-2 over 48.1 innings. This season, he has a 4.58 ERA with 71 strikeouts and 15 walks in 59 innings.

Richard Bleier, pitcher: Battling shoulder soreness, the 36-year-old reliever is taking longer than expected with his recovery, the Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham reported on June 8. The Red Sox placed Bleier on the 15-day injured list at the end of May, but he could be moved to the 60-day IL, opening up a roster spot for another pitcher if his situation does not improve. 

When he has played, Bleier didn't inspire confidence. He has a 5.85 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP, and lefties are batting .429 against him. Highlighted by Bleier's situation, the Red Sox have tough decisions to make in their bullpen.

A quick turnaround for the Red Sox is paramount because they already trail first-place Tampa Bay by 12.5 games.