Evaluating the Top Trade Targets for the Red Sox’s Offense

After drawing heavy criticism for a perceived lack of aggressiveness during his first two deadlines, Craig Breslow displayed unprecedented urgency in making the first major move of the 2026 season.

In a rare major-leaguer-for-major-leaguer deal, the Boston Red Sox swapped promising rookie left-hander Connelly Early for power-hitting infielder Curtis Mead. While the price surprised many in the industry, Mead immediately becomes one of the Red Sox’s most important hitters, as his 17 home runs and .852 OPS would rank behind only Willson Contreras.

​The addition of Mead takes several intriguing middle infield candidates off the board, including Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres, Giants second baseman Luis Arraez, Giants infielder Casey Schmitt and Astros infielder Isaac Paredes.

​This doesn’t mean, however, that the Red Sox should be done adding to their offense. Mead alone will not fix a lineup that is 29th in MLB in home runs, nor will he address the club’s lack of production at shortstop, catcher and left field.

​It’s therefore no surprise that ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the Red Sox are still in the hunt for a big bat, presumably at one of the three aforementioned positions. In today’s article, we’ll take a look at who those players might be, their chances of obtaining them, and how well they would fit the Red Sox roster.

​Before we take a look at some of the more intriguing fits, here’s a quick rundown of some players that have been floated as possible trade candidates who are either not feasible or simply incompatible options for the Red Sox at this year’s deadline.

Stats updated prior to games on July 27.

​SS Willy Adames, San Francisco Giants

For the second consecutive season in San Francisco, Adames has somewhat righted the ship after an ice-cold start, slashing .243/.301/.486 with 15 home runs since May 8.

​If Adames were a better defender, the Red Sox might be willing to live with the dramatic ups-and-downs, but the once-surehanded shortstop has already accumulated a whopping -14 Outs Above Average.

​Adames’ contract, which will pay him $31 million annually through 2031, is shaping up to be one of the worst in all of baseball, and one that the Red Sox should steer far clear of.

​CF Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins

Even if the three-time All-Star was willing to waive his no-trade clause, which he has given no indication he would want to do, a move to Boston would necessitate Buxton giving up the glamor position of center field in deference to Ceddanne Rafaela.

​The bigger issue is Buxton’s lengthy injury history. He has played more than 102 games just twice in his career, and has already missed time this season in both May and July with a hip injury.

​There is no denying the talent or the impact he could make atop their lineup, but trading for an injury-prone 32-year-old outfielder is not what the Red Sox should be prioritizing right now.

​C Francisco Alvarez, New York Mets

​Alvarez is one of the most intriguing players from the Mets’ impending fire sale. The former top prospect has slashed .258/.336/.448 with 23 home runs in 146 games since the start of 2025, excellent offensive numbers for a catcher in this day and age.

​Yet while Alvarez has made strides on defense from the beginning of his career, he is still a well-below-average defender, and asking the 24-year-old to learn a whole new pitching staff on the fly in the middle of a pennant race is far too big an ask.

​3B Matt Chapman, San Francisco Giants

​Perhaps Chapman might have been an option if Caleb Durbin continued to be among the worst hitters in baseball, but now that he has become an integral part of the team, there is little reason to trade for a 33-year-old with a career-worst .692 OPS who is set to make $25 million a year through 2030.

​DH/3B Eugenio Suárez, Cincinnati Reds

​At this point of his career, Eugenio Suárez is pretty firmly a designated hitter, and not a very good one at that. Given the Red Sox’s lack of interest in him this offseason, there’s little reason to believe they will suddenly jump into his market at this deadline.

​SS Bobby Witt Jr. Kansas City Royals

​Yeah, no. Sorry. Not happening.

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With that out of the way, let’s get to the players who may actually be a fit on the Red Sox.

Catchers

C/DH Iván Herrera, St. Louis Cardinals

• Stats: 104 G, 12 HR, 44 RBI, .244/.366/.382, 113 OPS+, 11.0 BB%, 14.1 K%, 1.7 bWAR
• Team Control: Through 2029
• Age: 26

Why It Would Work:

​While the acquisition of Mead marks the second time in less than a year that Breslow has made a deal with his former assistant general manager Paul Toboni, there is nobody he likes trading with more than Chaim Bloom and the St. Louis Cardinals.

​The former and current Red Sox president of baseball operations have already linked up on three significant deals in the last calendar year, swapping Steven Matz for Blaze Jordan at last year’s deadline and making two trades last winter centered around Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras.

​Bloom has already done a pretty thorough job selling off the Cardinals veterans as he looks to re-stock the farm system, but the one key piece he has left is All-Star catcher/DH Iván Herrera.

​The 26-year-old has long been a steady presence atop the Cardinals order, slashing .272/.370/.421 (125 OPS+) in 282 games since the start of 2024. His career-high 11.1 walk rate ranks in the 73rd percentile, while his whiff and strikeout rates are also comfortably above average.

​Though Herrera’s slugging percentage has unexpectedly plummeted in 2026, he would provide a significant offensive upgrade over the Red Sox’s current catching tandem of Connor Wong and Carlos Narváez based solely on his patience and bat-to-ball skills.

​Why It May Not:

​Is Herrera really a catcher? The Cardinals don’t seem too sure, as he has caught just 39 of their 106 games thus far. While his blocking and framing are adequate, Herrera has been among the worst at controlling the running game, throwing out just 6 of 108 would-be basestealers over the course of his career.

​The Red Sox could probably get by starting Herrera once or twice a week, but anything more than that would be a needless obstacle to a pitching staff that ranks fourth in the league in ERA.

​The best role for Herrera is DH, a spot that the Red Sox have been getting acceptable production from with Yoshida batting .315 over his last 17 games and Romy Gonzalez beginning to find his swing.

​If Herrera wasn’t a liability behind the plate, he would be a near-perfect addition for the Red Sox, but his futility against the run game and the Red Sox’s plethora of solid DH candidates makes this an unlikely fit.  

• ​Fit Rating: 2
• Obtainability: 4

C Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles

• Stats: 67 G, 8 HR, 47 RBI, .251/.331/.433, 113 OPS+, 10.6 BB%, 14.1 K%, 1.7 bWAR
• Team Control: Through 2027
• Age: 28

Why It May Work:

​Rutschman has enjoyed a solid bounceback after a dismal, injury-plagued 2025 campaign, slashing a solid .251/.333/.433 and earning his third career All-Star selection. While he may never live up to the first-overall pick expectations, you know what you are getting Rutschman on both sides of the ball: elite ball-to-ball skills, above-average plate discipline, 15-20 home run power and Gold Glove-caliber defense.

​Rutschman has earned praise for his game-calling and leadership and would likely have an easier time acclimating to the new pitching staff than any of the other catcher trade options.

​The Orioles, of course, value these skills as well, but the recent extension of catcher/first baseman Samuel Basallo indicates that he is their preferred catcher of the future, and ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that they are “certainly listening” to offers for their former face of the franchise.

​Why It May Not:

​Somehow just two-and-a-half games out of a playoff spot, the Orioles don’t have any urgent need to trade Rutschman at this deadline, especially with Bassallo dealing with a lingering shoulder injury. They would probably need to be blown away with an offer, a risky proposition for a team in the Red Sox’s division.

​Rutschman also carries an undeniable injury risk, having played just 137 games over the last two years and recently landing on the injured list with left wrist inflammation.  

Though he is expected to return in the coming weeks, it would be a catastrophe for the Red Sox to pay a premium to their division rival only for him to repeat the second-half struggles he had in both 2024 (.207/.282/.303 ) and 2025 (.200/.270/.350).

• ​Fit Rating: 5
• Obtainability: 4

C Ryan Jeffers, Minnesota Twins

• Stats: 46 G, 9 HR, 35 RBI, .293/.395/.535, 158 OPS+, 14.2 BB%, 16.8 K%, 2.2 bWAR
• Team Control: Through 2026
• Age: 29

Why It Would Work:

​As a soon-to-be free agent with just one season with over 15 home runs under his belt, the cost to acquire Jeffers figures to be less than some of the other catching options.

That doesn’t mean, however, that Jeffers can’t be a difference-maker in the Red Sox lineup, as he was arguably the best-hitting catcher in all of baseball before going down with a hamate injury.

​Among catchers with at least 150 at-bats, Jeffers ranks first with a .293 batting average and a .395 on-base percentage while trailing only Hunter Goodman with a .535 slugging percentage.

Even more impressive is the fact that he has done it while walking just as much as he is striking out, which indicates a solid offensive floor even if he can’t sustain his incredible .930 OPS.

​Why It May Not:

​Just because Jeffers is a rental doesn’t mean he doesn’t come without his risks. While Jeffers has had some productive years in the past, his performance this year has completely blown his career numbers out of the water, leaving questions about whether this has just been a 46-game flash-in-a-pan.

Perhaps more concerning are his defensive metrics, as he ranked in the 13th percentile in Statcast’s blocks above average and in the fifth percentile in caught stealings above average in 2025.

Though his numbers have stabilized somewhat this year, he has graded out as a below-average defender in every season of his career, and he might be best utilized as a primary DH who occasionally spells either Narváez or Wong behind the plate.​

• ​Fit Rating: 4
• ​Obtainability: 7

C Hunter Goodman, Colorado Rockies

• Stats: 98 G, 31 HR, 60 RBI, .260/.331/.557, 128 OPS+, 8.8 BB%, 32.6K%, 2.4 bWAR
• Team Control: Through 2029
• Age: 26

Why It Would Work:

​How do you address a lineup that lacks power? Maybe by acquiring a guy who trails only Kyle Schwarber and Yordan Alvarez with 31 home runs. More than any other player who is realistically at this year’s deadline, a trade for Hunter Goodman would signal that the Red Sox are serious about competing for a World Series title.​

Unlike many Rockies’ hitting stars of the past, Goodman has been even better away from Coors Field, slashing .284/.351/.605 on the road compared to .233/.310/.506 at home. He has the power to hit in any ballpark, but his 30.2% pull-air percentage would make him especially dangerous at Fenway Park.

​Why It May Not:

Getting a potential 50-home run catcher in the prime of his career who is under team control for the rest of the decade won’t come cheap. The Rockies reportedly would need to be “overwhelmed” to trade Goodman at this year’s deadline, which in the Red Sox’s case would likely mean giving up top prospect Franklin Arias, second-ranked prospect Anthony Eyanson, and more.

Is that worth it for a guy who, despite the prodigious power, ranks in the fifth percentile or lower in chase rate, whiff rate and strikeout rate and is a below-average defender? This feels like a move that is better on paper than it would be in practice.

• ​Fit Rating: 4
• ​Obtainability: 2

C Tyler Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds

• Stats: 80 G, 8 HR, 28 RBI, .244/.320/.392, 94 OPS+, 10.0 BB%, 25.3 K%, 1.3 bWAR
• Team Control: Through 2026
• Age: 29

​Why It Would Work:

​Though the surface-level offensive numbers may be underwhelming, there’s a lot to like with Stephenson’s profile. He ranks in the 77th percentile or better in hard-hit percentage, barrel rate, and average exit velocity, and his 40.3% sweet-spot percentage ranks in the 92nd percentile.​

And while his 10.3% walk rate won’t jump off the page, his 21.8% chase rate stacks up with notorious plate-discipline extrodinares like Steven Kwan (21.1%), Alex Bregman (22.0%) and James Wood (22.4%).

​As a soon-to-be free agent on a 49-55 Reds team, Stephenson will be among the cheaper catching options available this deadline season and would add some thunder to a Red Sox catching tandem that has combined for just four home runs this season.

​Why It May Not:

​What is your appetite for atrocious framing? Stephenson ranks in the first percentile with -10 framing runs while also grading out poorly at throwing out runners. It’s hard not to link Stephenson’s struggles behind the plate with the Reds’ 4.52 team ERA, especially considering that figure was at 3.86 during his injury-plagued 2025 season.

​Unlike Jeffers or Goodman, Stephenson’s offense is not good enough to outweigh the negative impact he would cause on defense, and it seems unlikely Craig Breslow would willingly disrupt the league’s best pitching staff for a marginal power upgrade.

• ​Fit: 2
• Obtainability: 9

Shortstops

SS Zach Neto, Los Angeles Angels

• Stats: 103 G, 19 HR, 46 RBI, .233/.323/.441, 116 OPS+, 10.0 BB%, 31.7 K%, 2.7 bWAR
• Team Control: Through 2029
• Age: 25

Why It Would Work:

A rumored Red Sox target both this winter and at this deadline, Neto would address the Red Sox’s power issue at a position of need. Only CJ Abrams and Colson Montgomery have hit more home runs at the shortstop position, a product of a 28.0% pull-air percentage that ranks 23rd among qualified hitters.

​Neto also would add an element of speed to a team that has been among the most aggressive baserunning teams in baseball under Chad Tracy. He stole a combined 56 bases over his first two full seasons, though it should be noted that he has converted just 13 of his 23 stolen base attempts in 2026.

​Unlike some of the other shortstops coming up on the list, Neto comes with both team control and an affordable contract, having three more years of arbitration and not hitting free agency until 2029.

​At just 25 years old, Neto would not only solidify a middle infield spot until the end of the decade but also allow the Red Sox to shop Marcelo Mayer or Franklin Arias to address other areas of their roster.

​Why It May Not:

​Like Goodman, Neto may be a player that looks better on paper than in practice. The first and most prominent red flag is on defense, where he has accumulated -8 Outs Above Average and a league-leading 15 errors.

​This marks the third time in as many seasons that Neto has ranked in the 10th percentile or lower in Outs Above Average, and there is ample evidence that his defense is actually regressing as he enters the prime of his career rather than progressing.

​Neto’s hit-or-miss profile also extends to the batter’s box, as his power is offset by a 31.7% strikeout rate and a 36.6% chase rate.

​For a team that has thrived on the back of good defense and situational hitting, the Red Sox would be taking a significant gamble in acquiring his services, especially after bringing in Mead and his questionable glove to play second base.

• ​Fit: 3
• Obtainability: 4

SS CJ Abrams, Washington Nationals

• Stats: 102 G, 27 HR, 82 RBI, .297/.367/.573, 156 OPS+, 17-22 SB, 8.3 BB%, 21.3 K%, 4.3 bWAR
• Team Control: Through 2028
• Age: 25

Why It Would Work:

​After three straight years of posting eerily similar numbers, the 25-year-old Abrams has fully leaped into superstardom in 2026. He leads MLB with a career-high 82 RBI while also blowing away his previous career-bests in home runs (27), batting average (.297), on-base percentage (.367), and slugging percentage (.573).

​Abrams’ breakout isn’t a result of one major change but rather a series of modest improvements. He has added over three points to both his hard-hit percentage and barrel percentage and over a point to his average exit velocity, and has improved his walk percentage from 5.8% to 8.3%.

​In addition to his work at the plate, Abrams has also established himself as one of the savviest base-stealers in the game, stealing 126 bases while being caught just 24 times since the start of 2023.

​With Anthony Siegler regressing to the mean and Roman Anthony still a ways away from returning, Abrams is the best leadoff option the Red Sox could acquire at this year’s deadline.

​Why It May Not:

​As is the case with Neto, this all comes down to defense. Abrams has accumulated a whopping -40 Outs Above Average in his four years in Washington, bottoming out with a first percentile ranking in 2026.

​Abrams’ future is at second base or third base, but both of those avenues have been cut off with Durbin establishing himself at third base and Mead being acquired to play second base.

​You only have to look at the Nationals and their 27th-ranked pitching staff to see the perils of an infield consisting of both Mead and Abrams, and it’s hard to imagine a team that so heavily prioritizes run prevention would sign up for subpar defense at the two most important infield positions.

• ​Fit: 4
• Obtainability: 3

SS Jeremy Peña, Houston Astros

• Stats: 59 G, 11 HR, 30 RBI, .319/.373/.504, 125 OPS+, 6.8 BB%, 16.1 K%, 2.8 bWAR
• Team Control: Through 2027
• Age: 28

Why It Would Work:

​If you were to draw up an ideal fit for the Red Sox, it would probably look a lot like Peña. The heir to Carlos Correa took over at shortstop in the 2022 season and promptly led the Astros to their second World Series title in six years, earning MVP honors with a .400/.423/.600 line against the Phillies.

​While Peña was an above-average defender from his first day in the majors, he didn’t truly break out offensively until 2025, when he finished fifth in the American League with a .305 batting average and earned his full All-Star selection.

​Though injuries have limited him to just 59 games in 2026, he has proved that his 2025 campaign wasn’t a fluke, posting a .319/.373/.504 line that includes 5 home runs and a 1.577 OPS over his last six games.

​Peña’s exit velocity metrics don’t jump off the page, but he is able to maximize his batted ball data by pulling the ball in the air at a 21.3% clip and utilizing his 93rd percentile speed. It’s therefore no surprise that Peña has excelled in his career at Fenway Park, slashing .349/.378/.605 in 45 career plate appearances.

​Of course, this conversation might all be moot if the Astros, who are just two games back in the American League West, follow through on general manager Dana Brown’s plan to buy, but Peña might be the only realistically available shortstop who could give them above-average production on both sides of the ball.

​Why It May Not:

​Peña’s contract status leaves him in a weird position for potential suitors. He doesn’t have the team control of an Abrams or a Neto, but he will cost more than a pure rental. It’s a risky proposition for the Red Sox to pay a premium for his services without knowing whether he would commit to Boston long-term.

​Adding to the Red Sox’s risk is Peña’s lengthy injury history. He has played just 181 games over the last two seasons, and has missed time this season with a broken finger, a hamstring strain, a sore neck and a calf strain.

​The risk of this move would be similar to the acquisition of Garrett Crochet, who cost the Red Sox two premium prospects for just two years of his services. The move was a huge gamble for a guy who had just one full season as a starter under his belt, but he lived up to every expectation and proved invaluable during the Red Sox’s playoff run last season.

​While he might not be the same caliber of player as Crochet, Peña has the ability to be a similar type of needle-moving acquisition and immediately transform a position that has been their greatest weakness this season into one of their biggest strengths.

• ​Fit: 8
• ​Obtainability: 2

SS Otto Lopez, Miami Marlins

• Stats: 102 G, 9 HR, 47 RBI, .328/.363/.490, 140 OPS+, 5.2 BB%, 14.1 K%, 4.9 bWAR
• Team Control: Through 2029
• Age: 28

Why It May Work:

​If the Red Sox want to lean even further to their pitching, defense and small-ball style of play, they will be hard-pressed to find a better fit than Lopez. The All-Star shortstop leads MLB with a .328 batting average, 27 doubles and 133 hits while trailing only Pete Crow-Armstrong among National League position players with a 4.9 bWAR.

​Though he won’t ever be described as a slugger, Lopez has gradually increased his average exit velocity and pull-air percentage over the course of his three full MLB seasons. That, along with his uncanny ability to both square up the ball (90th percentile) and avoid strikeouts (89th) has made him arguably the toughest out in all of baseball.

Adding to Lopez’s appeal is his work on the bases, as he has swiped 20 bags this season while being caught just four times. His 85th percentile sprint speed has also helped him on the defensive side of the ball, where he has accumulated 27 Outs Above Average at shortstop since the start of 2024.

​All in all, Lopez is making a strong case for the most complete shortstop this side of Bobby Witt Jr., a remarkable achievement for a player who was DFA’d by both the Giants and the Blue Jays at the start of the 2024 season.

​Why It May Not:

​The price for Lopez, who is under contract through 2029 and is unquestionably the best player on the floundering Marlins, will be higher than anybody on this list. Any package would likely need to start with Franklin Arias, a consensus top-ten prospect who was promoted to Triple-A Worcester this week.

​Arias profiles similarly to Lopez as an elite defensive shortstop with excellent bat-to-ball skills and 15-20 home runs. Though Lopez is undoubtedly on the higher end of Arias’ possible outcomes, it would make little sense for the Red Sox to flip a 20-year-old with seven years of service time for a 26-year-old with three, along with what would surely be more assets.

The Red Sox probably missed their boat to trade for Lopez this winter, and his emergence as one of the best shortstops in baseball has likely priced him out of their level of comfort.

• ​Fit: 8
• Obtainability: 2

SS Francisco Lindor, New York Mets

• Stats: 49 G, 6 HR, 17 RBI, .233/.308/.378, 90 OPS+, 10.0 BB%, 17.5 K%, 0.6 bWAR
• Team Control: Through 2031 at $32 million AAV
• Age: 32

Why It Would Work:

​Through all the noise and chaos of this Mets season, it should not be lost that Francisco Lindor is still a very good baseball player. His 91.8 average exit velocity and 48.3% hard hit percentage are both the best marks of his career, and his 17.5% strikeout rate is his lowest mark since 2020.

​And while his defense may not be as strong as it was in years past, he has still managed to accumulate +2 Outs Above Average in just 49 games.

​Other than Peña, Lindor is the Red Sox’s best chance of adding a shortstop that is solidly above-average on both sides of the ball, and the acquisition of a future Hall of Famer would be an immediate signal to the team and the rest of the league that they are serious about competing for a World Series title in 2026.

​Why It May Not:

​Even though the Mets didn’t include Lindor in their list of untouchables, it would seem to be a monumental task to trade him at this deadline. The only time you typically see contracts this large being moved is during the offseason, which is when the Mets will reportedly consider shopping him.

​The main reason, of course, is Lindor’s massive contract, which will pay him $32 million through his age-37 season. Given the Red Sox’s aversion to long-term contracts to players in their thirties, it seems far-fetched to think they will be willing to take on the entirety of this deal, especially for a player whose value depends so heavily on premium defense.

​The only real pathway to a midseason deal is if the Mets take on the last year-plus of Trevor Story’s contract, but it’s unlikely the Mets would even be interested in paying Story $25 million if they are serious about competing in 2027.

• ​Fit: 6
• Obtainability: 3

SS Andrés Giménez, Toronto Blue Jays

• Stats: 100 G, 7 HR, 40 RBI, .234/.275/.359, 72 OPS+, 3.3 BB%, 19.3 K%, 1.0 bWAR
• Team Control: Through 2029 at $23 million AAV with $23 million club option for 2030
• Age: 32

Why It Would Work:

​Giménez offers a cheaper and younger alternative if Lindor is unavailable. While not to the extent of the Mets’ demise, the Blue Jays are now firmly in the sellers boat with a 48-58 record, and would certainly love to get rid of Giménez before his salary increases from $15 million to $23 million in 2027.

​The three-time Gold Glove winner would be an immediate defensive upgrade over any other shortstop on the Red Sox roster, and, at just 27 years old, should continue to be an above-average defender for the remainder of his contract.

​In addition to his defense, Giménez’s speed and bat-to-ball ability fit the Red Sox’s current style of play, and he would bring World Series experience to a lineup that, outside Contreras, lacks any sort of playoff track record.

​As is the case with Lindor, the Red Sox could send Story back to the Blue Jays, who will make slightly more than Giménez next season but have two fewer years of team control. The pathway to Story being an everyday player in Boston grows less likely with each Red Sox win, but he could be a passable bridge option for the Blue Jays as they wait for top prospect Arjun Nimmala.

Why It May Not:

​Despite a bizarre 9-for-19 performance this year at Fenway Park, Giménez hasn’t come close to repeating his offensive performance from the 2022 season, in which he hit .297 and posted a 141 OPS+. He has posted an OPS below .712 in every other full season of his career, including a woeful .634 mark in 2026.

As good as Giménez’s defense is, his offensive performance will need to drastically improve to come anywhere close to earning his $23 million AAV.

Acquiring Giménez would also further complicate an infield mix that just added Mead to an infield group that already includes Mayer, Durbin, Contreras and Arias under team control for at least two more years.

• ​Fit: 3
• Obtainability: 8

SS Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds

• ​Stats: 85 G, 18 HR, 14 RBI, .278/.354/.506, 133 OPS+, 10.2 BB%, 27.0 K%, 3.3 bWAR
• Team Control: Through 2029
• Age: 24

Why It May Work:

This hasn’t been the season that the Reds have hoped for, as they have followed up a surprising Wild Card appearance with a last-place 49-55 record. To make matters worse, their biggest apparent trade chip, Spencer Steer, just landed on the injured list with a wrist sprain.

The Reds do have some rentals that could intrigue some teams, such as Suárez, Stephenson, first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, starting pitcher Brady Singer, and left-handed relievers Caleb Ferguson and Brock Burke. They could also move one of their young starters like Nick Lodolo or Andrew Abbott, who have become somewhat expendable with the emergence of Chase Burns and the return of ace Hunter Greene.

If they really want to kick-start a rebuild, however, they would consider trading Elly De La Cruz. Still just 24 years old, Cruz is in the middle of another fantastic season, posting a career-high 133 OPS+ and ranking among the top five shortstops in both home runs and stolen bases with 18 apiece.

While still susceptible to the occasional defense gaffe, Cruz has turned himself into a terrific shortstop, ranking in the 91st percentile in Outs Above Average.

For a team in desperate need of both power and a long-term solution at shortstop, Cruz would be a dream acquisition for the Red Sox and well worth the massive collection of prospects and young players they would have to give up.

​Why It May Not:

Rarely do we see a player of De La Cruz’s caliber moved at the trade deadline, especially one that has three years left of team control.

It’s also not as if the Reds need to start from scratch completely. The emergence of Burns gives them a lethal one-two combination at the top of the rotation, and All-Star rookie Sal Stewart finally gives De La Cruz some much-needed protection in the lineup.

As is the case with Abrams, the Red Sox would likely get completely rebuffed in their trade offers for De La Cruz, but perhaps they could lay the groundwork for a potential trade this winter.

• Fit: 10
• Obtainability: 1

Outfielders

OF Heliot Ramos, San Francisco Giants

• Stats: 67 G, 9 HR, 31 RBI, .262/.298/.438, 107 OPS+, 4.7 BB%, 27.3 K%, 0.8 bWAR
• Team Control: Through 2030
• Age: 26
  

Why It Would Work

​Much of the focus has rightfully been on upgrading the middle infield and catcher positions, and rightfully so, but don’t sleep on the outfield. With Roman Anthony still unable to swing a bat and Jarren Duran hitting below the Mendoza line, the Red Sox could seek an upgrade in left field.

​Provided that Buxton and Mike Trout are both unwilling to waive their no-trade clauses, the outfield market is fairly barren this deadline, but one name of particular note is Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos. The 26-year-old hits the ball as hard as anybody in the game, ranking in the 94th percentile in barrel percentage and 90th percentile in average exit velocity.

​While Ramos’ .262/.321/.432 slash line over the last three years may seem unimpressive, it’s important to note that he plays in the pitcher-friendly NL-West and could experience a Willson Contreras-like power surge if he plays in a more hitter-friendly ballpark.

​Why It May Not:

​It’s no secret that Ramos is trying to absolutely launch every time he goes to the plate, and while that leads to a ton of loud contact, it also results in a lot of chasing, a lot of whiffing, and very few walks.

​Ramos’ ability to take advantage of the friendly Fenway confines would also be limited by his lowly 9.1% pull-air percentage, which ranks 319th out of 333 qualified hitters. Ramos doesn’t fit the archetype of hitter that the Red Sox usually target, as even the similarly hit-or-miss Tyler O’Neill has been one of the best at pulling the ball in the air over the course of his career.

​Barring a dramatic shift in philosophy, it would be a major surprise for the Red Sox to commit long-term to such a one-dimensional player with Abreu, Rafaela and Anthony all under team control through at least 2029.

• ​Fit: 3
• Obtainability: 6​

OF Tyler Soderstrom, Sacramento Athletics

• Stats: 93 G, 16 HR, 49 RBI, .251/.348/.473, 122 OPS+, 12.2 BB%, 17.9 K%, 2.6 bWAR
• Team Control: Seven-year, $86 million contract through 2032 with $27 million club option for 2033
• Age: 24

Why It Would Work:

While a torn meniscus suffered by Sean Langeliers took one possible trade candidate off the board, there is another Athletics slugger who could provide a major boost to the offense.

​Tyler Soderstrom is currently in the midst of his second consecutive season with an OPS at least 20 points better than league average, and his 69-to-47 strikeout-to-walk ratio is an exceptional mark for a power hitter.

​That 17.9% strikeout rate in 2026 marks the fourth consecutive year he has cut his strikeout percentage by at least two percent, and he has done so without sacrificing any of his tremendous raw power.

​Though the Athletics are obvious sellers with a 44-60 record, they have surprisingly few trade chips to deal at the deadline. Reigning Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz would seem to be untouchable. Langeliers and designated hitter Brent Rooker are out for the year, and both Lawrence Butler (.198/.301/.298) and Jeff McNeil (.244/.306/.331) are in the midst of career-worst offensive seasons.

​So while Soderstrom, who inked a seven-year, $86 million contract extension this winter, may appear to be in the same camp as Kurtz,  he could also be the Athletics’ only chance at acquiring some long-term help to a pitching staff that ranks 29th in MLB in ERA.

​Why It May Not:

There are a number of flashing red flags with Soderstrom’s profile that should give the Red Sox pause. Perhaps more than any other Athletics hitter, Soderstrom has benefited from the friendly confines of Sutter Health Field, posting a .278/.402/.590 line at home as opposed to .232/.303/.384 on the road.

​Having hit just three of his 16 home runs this season to left or left-center, Soderstrom would appear to be a poor fit for Fenway Park and its cavernous right field. Baseball Savant’s expected home run tool shows that Soderstrom would have hit just 18 home runs the last two years in Fenway, easily his lowest in any ballpark and a whopping 35 shy of his actual output.

​While Soderstrom’s long-term contract at an affordable $12 million AAV could be viewed as a plus to some teams, it would only further complicate the outfield logjam that already has Anthony, Rafaela and Abreu locked in long term.

​Any trade for Soderstrom would also necessitate the Red Sox to first deal Jarren Duran, something that has proven to be unwilling or incapable of doing. While nobody would argue that Duran is a better hitter than Soderstrom, the massive downgrade the Red Sox would be undertaking in such a swap on defense could offset the positives from the bat.

​The idea of Soderstrom in a Red Sox lineup that has struggled mightily against right-handed pitching is undoubtedly enticing, but this is a deal that would cause more problems than it would solve.

• ​Fit: 3
• ​Obtainability: 3

OF/DH George Springer, Toronto Blue Jays

• Stats: 75 G, 11 HR, 30 RBI, .233/.314/.397, 94 OPS+, 9.7 BB%, 18.7 K%, 0.2 bWAR
• Team Control: Through 2026
• Age: 36

Why It Would Work:

​Two of the underrated attributes of the players the Red Sox targeted this winter were veteran influence and playoff experience. Contreras, Sonny Gray and Ranger Suárez were well-established leaders on their previous teams, and even Caleb Durbin was a key cog during the Brewers’ 97-win campaign last year.

A two-time champion and 2017 World Series MVP, Springer certainly fits that mold, and his .284/.347/.552 line during the Blue Jays’ World Series run last season only solidified his reputation as one of the best postseason performers of his era.​

From an on-field perspective, Springer has been one of the many Blue Jays hitters to take a step back this year, and it would be unwise to expect him to repeat his MVP-caliber 2025 campaign. With that being said, Springer still has some juice left in his bat, particularly against left-handed pitching, and he can still be counted on to work a professional at-bat.

​Perhaps a move to Fenway Park, a place where he has a career .323/.400/.540 slash line, could be just what he needs to turn back the clock.

​Why It May Not:

​Springer’s decline this year hasn’t simply been because of bad luck. His hard-hit percentage has plummeted from 47.6% to 39.8% while his barrel percentage has been nearly sliced in half from 16.2% to 7.8%.

​At 36 years old and possessing a lengthy injury history, Springer is clearly in the twilight of his career. To protect their aging star, the Blue Jays have played Springer almost entirely at DH this season, but even that wasn’t enough to prevent him from landing on the injured list with a fractured toe.

​As much as Springer would be a welcome addition to a relatively inexperienced position player group, his presence in the lineup wouldn’t move the needle in any significant way and would further complicate the revolving door at both left field and DH.

• ​Fit: 3
• ​Obtainability: 7

OF/DH Taylor Ward, Baltimore Orioles

• Stats: 105 G, 7 HR, 27 RBI, .253/.386/.357, 112 OPS+, 16.8 BB%, 20.3 K%, 2.4 bWAR
• Team Control: Through 2026
• Age: 32

​Why It Would Work:

​One of the biggest issues with Jarren Duran this season has been his tendency to expand the zone, which has led to an unsightly 29.2% strikeout rate. Ward would be the perfect antidote to that: He leads MLB with a 14.2% chase rate and tops the AL with 81 walks, while cutting his strikeout rate from 26.4% to 20.6%.

Ward would be a clear defensive downgrade from Duran in the field, but unlike Soderstrom, he’s never been a liability in the outfield.​

As a pending free agent on a sub-.500 Orioles team, Ward’s price should be manageable compared to other impact bats. Even if the Red Sox don’t feel comfortable starting him every day, his .872 OPS against lefties would represent an upgrade from the recently-acquired Jahmai Jones.

​Why It May Not:

​You can make the case that Ward has gone too far in the contact-over-power direction. His 69-point increase in on-base percentage has been completely offset by a 118-point decrease in slugging percentage, leading to a .743 OPS that is his lowest since the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

​With a career-low 63.8% meatball swing percentage that is over 12 points lower than the MLB average, Ward has blurred the line between patience and passivity, frequently taking pitches that he used to do damage on.

​Despite being just one year from a 36-home run campaign, Ward’s performance this year hasn’t been reflective of someone who can add thump to a Red Sox lineup still lacking home run power.

• ​Fit: 3
• Obtainability: 6