Bowden: Boston Red Sox "Speed Dialing" Minnesota Twins At An "Annoying Level" Regarding Multiple Players

[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.

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[TedYazPapiMookie]

Joe Ryan isn't a great pitcher so Bowden is full of crap.  Prior to this year his highest ERA+ was 116 at age 28.  Houck put up an ERA+ of 133 at age 25 in 2021, a 134 the next year and another 133 in 2024.  So why are we spending prospects on a guy who is having a career year after 4 mediocre seasons?

Minnesota is NOT the answer.  Heck, Ryan prior to 2025 most closely resembled Kutter Crawford with respect to his performance numbers in the MLB.  What prospects would you give up for Crawford?  Duran was the only worthy player to trade for and it's too late now.