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  • Boston Red Sox Free Agent & Trade Rumors, Notes, & Tidbits

    The latest Boston Red Sox free agent and trade rumors, along with notes and tidbits about the team.
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    Nick John
    The trade deadline is now 26 hours away, and the Red Sox are attempting to upgrade their roster. Their biggest need appears to be starting pitching, as the team has been linked to starters Mitch Keller and Dylan Cease.
    Now, Rob Bradford of WEEI reports that the Red Sox have shown interest in pitchers Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
    Along with that, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR reports that the Red Sox have been monitoring Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins.
    All three starters are likely to be moved before the deadline and have the potential to upgrade the Red Sox rotation based on past pedigree.
    What do you think? Should the Red Sox pursue any of these three? Is there a different starter they should go after? Leave your thoughts in the comments down below.
    Matthew Lenz
    The Boston Red Sox front office is going to be especially busy this week as we approach the 48-hour mark to the trade deadline. Over the last week or so, they've been tied to nearly every name on the market as they look to bolster their rotation, bullpen, first base, and catching depth.
    Jim Bowden is reporting that the Red Sox "are speed dialing the [Minnesota] Twins at an annoying level with continued interest" in multiple players. He also mentions four other teams, including two AL East rivals.
    The headliner would be starter Joe Ryan, who is having a Cy Young caliber season to this point, sporting a 2.82 ERA (3.17 FIP) and a 23.8% strikeout-minus-walk (K-BB) rate. He is controllable through 2027. However, he's not the only high-end asset the Twins have to offer, and the Blue Jays are interested in.
    They're also calling on "basically the whole bullpen", which focuses on Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, and possibly even Danny Coulombe. All three have been elite producers for the Twins this season, and Duran and Jax are controllable through 2027. Coulombe, a lefty specialist, will be a free agent at season's end.
    Lastly, Bowden reports that they're also calling on outfielder Harrison Bader and super-utility Willi Castro. Both players have been plus contributors for the Twins. Bader is carrying a .776 OPS with 12 home runs and 10 stolen bases. He also provides a plus glove in the outfield. Castro, who is less strong defensively but much more versatile, has a .761 OPS with 10 home runs and nine stolen bases. Both players will be free agents at the end of the season.
    The Red Sox have been tied to MANY names recently. Who should they prioritize? Join the conversation in the comments.
    Nick John
    The Boston Red Sox made a few promotions Sunday night as pitchers Connelly Early and David Sandlin are being promoted to Triple-A Worcester per Beyond The Monster’s Andrew Parker.
    The duo is seen as two of Boston’s top pitching prospects, with Early being ranked as the Sox’s sixth-best prospect and Sandlin the 12th on MLB Pipeline. Both starters opened the season with Double-A Portland, and it was viewed as a matter of time until they were called up to Worcester.
    Early, drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 draft, has made incredible strides this season after ending 2024 with Portland. In 15 games this season, 12 starts, Early has gone 7-2 with a 2.51 ERA in 71 2/3 innings. In that span, he struck out 96 batters and only walked 29 for a strikeout per walk rate of 3.31. So far this season, Early has a strikeout rate of 32.3% and a walk rate of 9.8%, while limiting opposing hitters to a .198 batting average.
    Sandlin was acquired by the Kansas City Royals in February 2024, just as spring training was beginning for John Schreiber. Much like Early, Sandlin has also shown great improvement this season as he’s managed to go deeper into outings and limit his walks. In 17 games this season, 13 starts, Sandlin has gone 5-4 with a 3.61 ERA in 82 1/3 innings pitched (a career high). He’s also struck out 86 batters while walking just 27. While his strikeout rate is down this season, Sandlin has instead focused on allowing batters to put the ball in play when a strikeout isn’t necessary. His strikeout rate has dropped to 25.4% from 33.2% last season, and his walk rate is 8.0%. Opponents are also hitting just .226 against the right-hander while his FIP is at a career low of 3.29.
    The two will likely continue to pitch in both the rotation and as long men out of the bullpen through the remainder of the season. If they continue to impress in Worcester, there’s a chance one or both could be called up to Boston as reinforcements.
    What do you think about the promotions? Too soon? Should they have been earlier in the season? Do either of them make it to Boston this year? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
    Nick John
    When you think of the Red Sox and Yankees, it's usually about their historic rivalry, but it could be slightly different due in part to the trade deadline.
    Per Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Yankees are interested in David Hamilton. 
    Hamilton would be an interesting trade to the Yankees. While just 27 years old, he has had a rough offensive season. Hitting just .179/.229/.276 with three doubles, three home runs, and 12 RBIs in 133 plate appearances. His most promising skill is his speed. So far in 176 career games, he's stolen 50 bases while being caught just eight times. 
    This season, Hamilton has seen a drop-off in performance and was recently demoted to Triple-A Worcester before being recalled due to Marcelo Mayer's wrist injury.
    With the ability to play both second base and shortstop, along with his speed, making him a valuable late-game pinch runner, the Red Sox may be hesitant to trade him to a division rival. 
    Should the Red Sox entertain a phone call with their rivals? Should they refuse to trade him to New York? Leave your thoughts down below in the comments. 
    Matthew Lenz
    The Boston Red Sox have been unable to solve their first base puzzle since Triston Casas went down earlier this season. It remains one of their bigger needs as the trade deadline approaches.
    Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic is reporting that the Tampa Bay Rays may be softening and more willing to trade Yandy Díaz.
    Díaz is having another good offensive season for the Tampa Bay Rays. In 97 games, he has posted an. OPS of .816. He has hit 17 home runs, demonstrating his increased power output in recent years. Díaz has contributed significantly to the Rays' offense with 50 runs scored and 60 runs batted in. He is controllable through 2026, and has a 2027 club option that vests at $13 million with 500 plate appearances in 2026.
    Should the Red Sox acquire Díaz? Join the conversation in the comments.
    Nick John
    Just as the Boston Red Sox were seemingly getting back to full health, they were struck by injury once more.
    This time the team will be without rookie Marcelo Mayer as he hits the 10-day injured list with a right wrist sprain. Mayer was forced to leave the Red Sox's latest game, being seen on camera pointing to his wrist. Mayer did say that it was only a sprain and not hamate or broken bone related.
    In 44 games, Mayer was hitting .228/.272/.402 with eight doubles, a triple, four home runs and 10 RBIs. Mayer's greatest production was defensively as he bounced between second base and third base and played excellent defense despite coming up through the system as a shortstop.
    The severity of the injury isn’t known but in response to the injury, David Hamilton was recalled from Worcester. Alex Cora also said that Ceddanne Rafaela will play more second base for the time being. The move to the middle infield for Rafaela will clear up the outfield logjam and will likely make the starting outfield be Roman Anthony in left field, Jarren Duran in center field and Wilyer Abreu in right field.
    Do you think this is just a minor injury and Mayer will be back quickly? Could it be a longer absence? Should Rafaela be in center field regardless? Leave your thoughts below in the comments.
    Matthew Lenz
    As all signs point to the Boston Red Sox purchasing over the next week, it appears they are also interested in acquiring prospects.
    Sean McAdam of MassLive is reporting that the Boston Red Sox have interest in Los Angeles Dodgers catching prospect Dalton Rushing. He goes on to report that the Dodgers are interested in Red Sox prospects Franklin Arias and Brandon Clarke.
    Rushing, who debuted on May 15, has struggled with the Dodgers, posting a .577 OPS with just one home run. While a majority of his time has been spent behind the plate, he has also played at first base, which would provide the Red Sox with depth at multiple positions of need.
    Clark and Arias, both at High-A Greenville, have had good seasons. Both are considered top 100 prospects by multiple sources.
    Do you think the Red Sox should acquire Rushing or shoot for a larger fish? Join the conversation in the comments!
    Matthew Lenz
    One way or another, and whether it be at this trade deadline or sometime down the road, the San Diego Padres seem adamant to pry Jarren Duran away from the Boston Red Sox.
     
    Earlier today, Sean McAdam of MassLive provided yet another update between the two clubs. The Padres offered the Red Sox a package including SP Dylan Cease, C Ethan Salas and another prospect (not SS Leo de Vries) in exchange for Duran, which was “quickly rejected,” McAdam later adds that while it's likely Duran is eventually traded, it's "unlikely" to happen this summer.
    Would you have taken the deal the Padres offered? Join the conversation in the comments!
    Matthew Lenz
    Ahead of the home half of the fifth inning, the Boston Red Sox replaced infielder Marcelo Mayer with Abraham Toro at third base. 
    Shortly after the move was made, Chris Cotillo of MassLive reported he left Wednesday's game with right wrist discomfort. At this point the severity of the injury is unclear.
    With the Red Sox reportedly being aggressive over the next week, some speculated whether he was possibly traded mid-game. Unfortunately, that's not the case and video from the dugout shows Mayer pointing to his wrist.
    Mayer was called up following Alex Bergman's injury earlier this season. In 43 games this season, he has an OPS of .674 with 4 home runs, 19 runs scored, and 10 runs batted in. He has seen playing time at third base, second base, and shortstop.
    Stay tuned to Talk Sox for updates and reactions!

    Matthew Lenz
    The San Diego Padres plan to be buyers at the deadline in anticipation of a playoff push. They may also be sellers, and the Chicago Cubs could be one of their suitors.
    Buster Olney of ESPN is reporting that San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease is available at the trade deadline, and that "AL East" teams have discussed the 30-year-old free agent-to-be.
    Across 20 starts and 108.2 innings pitched, Cease's. ERA currently stands at 4.64, which is more than a full run higher than his FIP, suggesting he's experienced some bad luck or been hurt by his defense. Cease continues to be a high-strikeout pitcher, with a K% of 30.0% and a BB% of 8.4%, translating to an impressive K-BB% of 21.6%. He will be a free agent at the end of the season with incredible upside, despite his underperforming surface stats. Given the shallow starter's market and the numerous teams seeking rotation help, his cost will be substantial. Any team acquiring the right-hander will likely need to overpay to acquire him. Moreover, given the Padres' position in the playoff picture, they are likely looking for a combination of MLB-ready and prospect pieces.
    Should the Boston Red Sox do what it takes to acquire Dylan cease? Join the conversation in the comments!

    Matthew Lenz
    With a few different potential needs at the upcoming deadline, the Boston Red Sox have pinpointed their primary target over the next eight days.
    Mark Feinsand of MLB.com is reporting that the Boston Red Sox are prioritizing starting pitching to pair with Garrett Crochet.
    Many names have been floated around, such as Pittsburgh Pirates' Mitch Keller, Miami Marlins' Edward Cabrera and Sandy Alcantara, and the Arizona Diamondbacks' Zac Gallen. They've also been rumored to be very interested in Minnesota Twins starter Joe Ryan, though the Twins are reportedly not looking to move the All-Star unless they are blown away by an offer.
    Do you think the Red Sox are targeting the biggest area of need? Of the starters available, who peaks your interest the most? Join the conversation in the comments!
    Nick John
    Tanner Houck’s season is now in jeopardy after being shut down indefinitely following a lengthy rehab assignment, according to Tim Healey of the Boston Globe. Originally placed on the injured list back in Mid-May due to a right flexor pronator strain, Houck began his rehab on June 18th in Worcester and appeared in five games between Worcester and Portland.
    Now it appears that his flexor soreness has returned, leaving his season status uncertain. While surgery has been ruled out at the moment, the team is unsure of what to do next.
    “We gotta go to step one, I guess,” Alex Cora said when asked about Houck’s status for the remainder of the season.
    Houck’s rehab assignment had concluded, and the team was required to either activate him and add him to the major league roster or option him to Triple-A Worcester. Instead, he will remain on the injured list as he attempts to work his way back once more.
    The potential loss of Houck for the season could force the Red Sox to up their efforts in trading for a starter leading up to the trade deadline, especially with fellow starter Hunter Dobbins out for the remainder of the year.
    Do you think Houck will make it back before the end of the year? Might surgery be the best option and have him come back at 100% next season? Does his setback make acquiring a starter the team's top priority? Leave your thoughts below down in the comments.
    Matthew Lenz
    The Boston Red Sox are going to be buyers at the deadline and have multiple areas to improve on their roster.
    Robert Murray of FanSided discussed what he's hearing regarding the Boston Red Sox and the upcoming trade deadline on his The Baseball Insiders live stream. In short, the team will be "quite busy".
    Murray notes that the Red Sox will realistically pursue a starting pitcher at the deadline. Many names have been floated around, such as Pittsburgh Pirates' Mitch Keller, Miami Marlins' Edward Cabrera and Sandy Alcantara, and the Arizona Diamondbacks' Zac Gallen. They've also been rumored to be very interested in Minnesota Twins starter Joe Ryan, though the Twins are reportedly not looking to move the All-Star.
    Moreover, Murray goes on to list names like the Dbacks Josh Naylor and Baltimore Oriole's Ryan O'Hearn as potential stop-gaps at first base. A position that has been a game of musical chairs since the season ending knee injury of Tristan Casas.
    All reports suggest the Red Sox will be aggressive at the deadline, with rumors that they're even willing to trade Jarren Duran. Do you think they should go all-in considering how the season has played out thus far? Let us know in the comments!

    Alex Mayes
    Jim Bowden of The Athletic published a piece on what he's hearing with ten days until the trade deadline. In it, he noted that the Red Sox are still discussing Jarren Duran with other teams, but they don't feel as though they have to trade him. He further notes that the Padres and Phillies have been connected to Duran, and the front office would like to receive a starting pitcher or a first baseman in return, if the deal is right. Like has been mentioned before, the Padres don't match up well with the Red Sox unless the Sox were willing to take back an expiring contract like Michael King, Dylan Cease, or if a third team were to get involved—Bowden mentions the Marlins and Edward Cabrera—then it's possible a deal could get done. 
    What may command more attention than the trade rumor though, is that the team feels that their best outfield lineup is Wilyer Abreu in right, Ceddanne Rafaela in center, and Roman Anthony in left. In the long-term, this is the strongest outfield the team can run out on a nightly basis as it is centered on young talent with high ceilings. Duran's future in Boston is even cloudier as he's 28 years old and not viewed as a full-time DH candidate. 
    What do you think? Should Duran be the odd man out in the outfield if the Sox do decide to trade away pieces from the major league roster? Sound off in the comments below!
    Nick John
    As the trade deadline quickly approaches, the Red Sox are being considered among the buyers in Major League Baseball. As the club looks to upgrade specific positions, ESPN’s Jeff Passan has released his Top 50 trade deadline candidates, and the Red Sox are being considered a “best fit” for several players. Both rental and long-term assets are being considered, as the list contains exciting names.
    Among the rentals that Boston is considered as a potential “best fit” are first basemen Ryan O’Hearn and Josh Naylor and pitcher Merrill Kelly. Those three players would likely cost less than the others on the list due to their impending free agency.
    Those who would be under contract for more than the remainder of this season include pitchers Sandy Alcantara, Kris Bubic, Mitch Keller, Taj Bradley, and Edward Cabrera. OF this group, Alcantara and Bubic could become free agents after next season. Alcantara also has a $21 million team option for the 2027 season but can be bought out for $2 million.
    Both Cabrera and Keller would be under team control through the 2028 season, the former through arbitration and the latter having signed an extension with the Pittsburgh Pirates through the 2028 season.
    Of the batch, Bradley may be the most expensive. Not arbitration eligible until after the 2026 season. If traded for Bradley would come back to Boston with four more years of control.
    What do you think? Of the players listed, who do you want the most? Or are you not interested in any of them? Leave your thoughts below in the comments.
    Alex Mayes
    As the Red Sox are firmly entrenched in one of the toughest parts of their schedule, they are keeping an eye on some big name starting pitchers who could be available as the trade deadline approaches. It couldn't come at a better time with both Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello turning in less than stellar starts against the Cubs and Tanner Houck being placed back on the injured list instead of being activated. 
    According to Bob Nightengale, the Red Sox have sent scouts to Arizona to watch starters Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly.
    Both starters would surely help bolster a starting rotation that can struggle behind Garrett Crochet at times. Craig Breslow has stated that he prefers controllable starters at the deadline while both Gallen and Kelly are free agents at the conclusion of the season but if the team is in 'win now' mode then either option makes sense even on a rental deal. Gallen is having a down year with a 5.40 ERA. Kelly looks a bit more stable with a 3.34 ERA but he is in his age 36 season. 
    What do you think? Should the Red Sox be interested in acquiring either Zac Gallen or Merrill Kelly? Sound off in the comments below!
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