The Red Sox and Washington Nationals have agreed to a trade that will send outfielder Kyle Schwarber to Boston, according to Robert Murray of Fansided. The Nationals are expected to get right-hander Aldo Ramirez in return for Schwarber, per Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post. In a separate deal, the Nationals are set to send reliever Daniel Hudson to the Padres for pitching prospect Mason Thompson and shortstop Jordy Barley, per Dougherty.
Schwarber, 28, is currently on the injured list because of a significant hamstring injury he suffered in early July. He's taken steps forward in his recovery over the past week, resuming jogging and even taking batting practice, though it's still unclear when he'll make a full return. Nevertheless, he had an impressive, if short-lived run with the Nationals. In 72 games, he hit .253/.340/.570 (150 OPS+) with 25 home runs in 303 plate appearances.
Seeing as how the Red Sox already have a capable designated hitter, in J.D. Martinez, it stands to reason Boston views Schwarber as a position player. Manager Alex Cora could attempt to hide Schwarber's defensive deficiencies in left field. There's also, in theory, the possibility that the Red Sox will ask Schwarber to try his hand at first base, where they need an upgrade. (Schwarber hasn't played the cold corner since 2017.) Though Schwarber signed a one-year deal with the Nationals over the winter that included a mutual option for next season worth $11.5 million, it's fair to assume he will decline his half as a means of pursuing a multi-year pact instead.
Ramirez, currently on the injured list himself with an elbow issue, has posted a 2.03 ERA and a 4.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 31 innings at Low-A Salem this season. His stuff is more average than not and it's possible that he ends up in the bullpen before he reaches the majors.
Hudson, meanwhile, is an impending free agent who has posted a 2.20 ERA (175 ERA+) and a 6.86 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 32 innings this season. Hudson, 34, is primarily a fastball pitcher these days, having thrown his upper-90s offering some 73 percent of the time this season. He also has a slider that has evaded bats on more than half the swings taken against it in 2021. Hudson should assume a late-inning role for the Padres, who have eight relievers on the injured list.
The Nationals could well end up as the biggest seller of the deadline. Washington was involved in the most notable trade of Thursday, sending ace Max Scherzer and star shortstop Trea Turner to the Dodgers. The team also sent reliever Brad Hand to the Blue Jays.
