Pair Of Red Sox Sluggers Deemed Top Trade Chips Ahead Of Tumultuous Winter

The Boston Red Sox have some big changes coming, both to the front office and the coaching staff.

When the new leader of baseball operations takes the reigns, he'll quickly have to determine whether he wants to keep the players currently under contract in-house or as trade bait.

The top two names consistently floated in trade rumors are now reaching the national stage. Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter compiled a list of the top 30 trade candidates this offseason and listed a pair of Red Sox players.

Outfielder Alex Verdugo was ranked No. 18 on the list of potential trade chips with first baseman Bobby Dalbec nabbing the No. 30 spot.

Verdugo has been steadily in trade rumors since the trade deadline and will continue to be until either Opening Day or a deal is made. 

The 27-year-old hit .264 with 55 extra-base hits including 13 home runs, 54 RBIs and a .745 OPS in 142 games. He also was named an American League Gold Glove finalist after recording nine defensive runs saved.

Verdugo enters his final year of team control and had yet to begin extension talks when the season concluded. It's unclear what the Red Sox's plans are regarding his future in Boston -- making him a logical trade candidate.

Dalbec is a classic case of a player who needs a fresh start. His career in Boston has not gone as planned and he's now blocked at first base by the emergence of Triston Casas. 

The 28-year-old hit .269 with 50 extra-base hits including a whopping 33 home runs, 79 RBIs and a .938 OPS in 114 games for Triple-A Worcester this season. On the surface, he appears to have found something but his 41% strikeout rate would indicate otherwise. 

"Dalbec is always going to strike out a ton, but his power is legitimate. And with two remaining years of club control, he could be a nice low-cost target for teams looking for an offensive boost," Rueter wrote.

Rueter put it perfectly, as Dalbec is not going to be the trade chip to get Boston a frontline starter but he could be used in a deal for a serviceable reliever or someone who could be of a greater service to the organization.

Verdugo would net the biggest return of potential trade chips but has value on the active roster. 

Dalbec should be dealt, as he has some value but is not of any real use to Boston at the moment. Both sides would benefit from a fresh start.