Boston Red Sox Looking To Add Right-Handed Bat

[Matthew Lenz]

Despite being nine games under .500, the Boston Red Sox are looking to improve their lineup for a second-half push to the postseason. Although they currently sit 11 games out of the division lead, they are just 3.5 games out of a playoff spot in the Wild Card race.

Buster Olney of ESPN is reporting that the Red Sox "are looking to add a right-handed bat and willing to spend money to do it."

The Red Sox have had one of the worst lineups this year in large part due to some of their right-handed bats, such as Caleb Durbin, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Connor Wong (albeit the sample is small), and Trevor Story. Of course, it's not likely that they will find a solution to their woes at this juncture in the season. The hot stove has its pilot light on, but it has yet to ignite. Moreover, since the Wild Card expanded to three teams, it takes longer for teams to determine their path and buyers and sellers, and there are typically fewer teams willing to sell.

Who do you think the Red Sox should pursue? Join the conversation in the comments!

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[mvp 78]

What about Willy Adames? 

[a700hitter]

 Nick Castellanos has been released by the Padres. 

[Duran Is The Man]

i'd take Adames. pass on Castellnos.

 

[a700hitter]

Castellanos would cost nothing.

[Duran Is The Man]

15 minutes ago, a700hitter said:

Castellanos would cost nothing.

yeah....and i'm afraid he would provide the same.

[Randy Red Sox]

3 hours ago, a700hitter said:

 Nick Castellanos has been released by the Padres. 

exactly the type of BBB  the Sox likely will add

[notin]

Clearly Detroit has heard of my interest in Gleyber Torres and is now telling the world he isn’t for sale because they’ve “back in it.”  But what he means is the Tigers are not selling at that price.

Well played, AJ Hinch.  Well played…

[notin]

Right now other than Castellanos, not sure who is available.  And if anyone else is, are they worth it?

[harmony]

From another thread:

Per MLB Trade Rumors, the Red Sox are exploring the trade market for a right-handed bat while the Arizona Diamondbacks are exploring the market for a left-handed bat:

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/06/red-sox-trade-rumors-right-handed-bat-eat-money-salary.html

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/06/diamondbacks-trade-rumors-left-handed-bat-first-base-dh.html

Would either side be interested in a trade of lefthand-hitting Masataka Yoshida for righthand-hitting Lourdes Gurriel Jr., two 32-year-old hitters with MLB career wRC+ of 108 each?

According to Spotrac, Yoshida has guaranteed salaries of $18.6 million for 2026 and 2027 while Gurriel had a 2026 salary of $14 million and a 2027 club option for $14 million.

This season Yoshida has posted a negative 0.1 fWAR and a wRC+ of 96 in 43 games while Gurriel, who is currently on the injured list, has slumped to a negative 0.4 fWAR and a wRC+of 65 in 25 games.

Before the season FanGraphs projected Yoshida with 0.4 fWAR and a wRC+ of 111 in 40 games while projecting Gurriel with 1.1 fWAR and a wRC+ of 106 in 110 games.

The ZiPS three-year 2026-28 projections had Yoshida with 1.1  fWAR in 282 games and Gurriel with 2.3 fWAR in 346 games.

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/masataka-yoshida/31837/stats/batting#zips-3-year-projections

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/lourdes-gurriel-jr/19238/stats/batting#zips-3-year-projections

Since his arrival in 2023, Yoshida has posted 3.2 bWAR and 1.5 fWAR in 346 games while over the same period Gurriel has posted 5.1 bWAR and 4.4 fWAR in 432 games.

Gurriel, who played five seasons in the AL East, has posted a .322/.358/.458/816 line in 190 plate appearances at Fenway Park.

Buying low on Gurriel would save the significant payroll.

Thoughts?

[harmony]

Would anyone swap the left-handed bat of Marcelo Mayer, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 draft, for the right-handed bat of Arizona's Jordan Lawlar, the No. 6 overall pick in that draft?

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/marcelo-mayer/29668/stats/batting#zips-3-year-projections

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jordan-lawlar/29976/stats/batting#zips-3-year-projections

Mayer and Lawlar were drafted as shortstops but Lawlar, who is five months older than Mayer, has played in the outfield exclusively this season. Lawlar is on a rehab assignment at Triple A Reno.

[notin]

13 minutes ago, harmony said:

Would anyone swap the left-handed bat of Marcelo Mayer, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 draft, for the right-handed bat of Arizona's Jordan Lawlar, the No. 6 overall pick in that draft?

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/marcelo-mayer/29668/stats/batting#zips-3-year-projections

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jordan-lawlar/29976/stats/batting#zips-3-year-projections

Mayer and Lawlar were drafted as shortstops but Lawlar, who is five months older than Mayer, has played in the outfield exclusively this season. Lawlar is on a rehab assignment at Triple A Reno.

I think by “right handed bats”, the Sox would prefer someone capable of making an offensive impact from the right side, not just someone that uses the right-handed batters box.

Considering the Sox could have had Ketel Marte for Mayer 3 months ago, unlikely they have decided to give up and surrender him for another hopeful project that just happens to bat right-handed…

[notin]

58 minutes ago, harmony said:

From another thread:

Per MLB Trade Rumors, the Red Sox are exploring the trade market for a right-handed bat while the Arizona Diamondbacks are exploring the market for a left-handed bat:

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/06/red-sox-trade-rumors-right-handed-bat-eat-money-salary.html

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/06/diamondbacks-trade-rumors-left-handed-bat-first-base-dh.html

Would either side be interested in a trade of lefthand-hitting Masataka Yoshida for righthand-hitting Lourdes Gurriel Jr., two 32-year-old hitters with MLB career wRC+ of 108 each?

According to Spotrac, Yoshida has guaranteed salaries of $18.6 million for 2026 and 2027 while Gurriel had a 2026 salary of $14 million and a 2027 club option for $14 million.

This season Yoshida has posted a negative 0.1 fWAR and a wRC+ of 96 in 43 games while Gurriel, who is currently on the injured list, has slumped to a negative 0.4 fWAR and a wRC+of 65 in 25 games.

Before the season FanGraphs projected Yoshida with 0.4 fWAR and a wRC+ of 111 in 40 games while projecting Gurriel with 1.1 fWAR and a wRC+ of 106 in 110 games.

The ZiPS three-year 2026-28 projections had Yoshida with 1.1  fWAR in 282 games and Gurriel with 2.3 fWAR in 346 games.

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/masataka-yoshida/31837/stats/batting#zips-3-year-projections

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/lourdes-gurriel-jr/19238/stats/batting#zips-3-year-projections

Since his arrival in 2023, Yoshida has posted 3.2 bWAR and 1.5 fWAR in 346 games while over the same period Gurriel has posted 5.1 bWAR and 4.4 fWAR in 432 games.

Gurriel, who played five seasons in the AL East, has posted a .322/.358/.458/816 line in 190 plate appearances at Fenway Park.

Buying low on Gurriel would save the significant payroll.

Thoughts?

Interesting but I doubt AZ goes for it.  Although if Boston pays them enough…

[vegasbob]

Think of it this way. The RS , as is, will get to pay 100% of Yoshida's contract for the remainder of 2026 and all of 2027.  So bite the bullet and any net reduction in a deal would be a savings

The cost of the new player should stand on its own merits