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

[JoeBrady]

6 hours ago, notin said:

Considering the Sox could have had Ketel Marte for Mayer 3 months ago,

I doubt AZ ever considered a Marte/Mayer straight-up trade.  I always assumed Tolle would need to be part of the package.

[JoeBrady]

6 hours ago, harmony said:

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.

Lawlar is interesting, but he might not be an infielder.

[JAG]

the rumor about a month ago is probably the closest to a right handed impact bat if the Red Sox will pay and the angels realize they are better off with prospects, Mike Trout then add Lowe from the Pirates at the deadline if they are out of it because this is a walk year for him and that would be a big boost to the offense

[notin]

On 6/5/2026 at 2:39 PM, mvp 78 said:

What about Willy Adames? 

He has a no trade clause and no options that can be bought out to entice him, plus SF struggles to land feee agents and are probably a tad reluctant to trade away the ones they do sign as it might dilute their market appeal to both their fans and other potential free agents.

I think they refuse to discuss Adames for now and then go on to regret not making him available 3 years from now when he’s a range-less SS incapable of defending his position and his offense has started tapering off towards mediocrity, but remains in the top tier in just one category - salary…

[notin]

12 hours ago, JAG said:

the rumor about a month ago is probably the closest to a right handed impact bat if the Red Sox will pay and the angels realize they are better off with prospects, Mike Trout then add Lowe from the Pirates at the deadline if they are out of it because this is a walk year for him and that would be a big boost to the offense

Mike Trout has 10/5 rights and openly expressed a desire to stay with Anaheim…

[JAG]

1 hour ago, notin said:

Mike Trout has 10/5 rights and openly expressed a desire to stay with Anaheim…

He wouldn't be the first ballplayer to change his mind and what else is he suppose to say? I want out? This is where negotiating comes in, Breslow's job. Maybe he doesn't want to move but playing out his career in an under the radar situation compared to a national spotlight with filled stands and the possibility of playoffs is quite a negotiating tool. 

[vegasbob]

46 minutes ago, JAG said:

He wouldn't be the first ballplayer to change his mind and what else is he suppose to say? I want out? This is where negotiating comes in, Breslow's job. Maybe he doesn't want to move but playing out his career in an under the radar situation compared to a national spotlight with filled stands and the possibility of playoffs is quite a negotiating tool. 

Yes, Trout's comment is a sop to a small fan bsse.

But do you think he would want to leave dysfunctional Angels for the Red Sox of 2026 ?  Think not.

If he wanted to move  think Phillies or NYY.

[notin]

2 hours ago, JAG said:

He wouldn't be the first ballplayer to change his mind and what else is he suppose to say? I want out? This is where negotiating comes in, Breslow's job. Maybe he doesn't want to move but playing out his career in an under the radar situation compared to a national spotlight with filled stands and the possibility of playoffs is quite a negotiating tool. 

He never had to say anything.  And he certainly could say “I want out” and not be among the first 10,000 players to do so. 

Is that really a negotiating tool for Trout?  That sounds like what Trout should be offering Boston in the negotiations.  
 

If Trout had an option to be picked up or anything similar, THAT would be Boston’s negotiating tool.  Or an extension, which would be insane as Trout still has 4 years and about $145mill left on his contract already.

 

[notin]

1 hour ago, vegasbob said:

Yes, Trout's comment is a sop to a small fan bsse.

But do you think he would want to leave dysfunctional Angels for the Red Sox of 2026 ?  Think not.

If he wanted to move  think Phillies or NYY.

Or maybe Trout’s goal is to drag the Angels to the postseason rather than move on and hitch a ride there in the company of other high-priced players who only serve the purpose in that instance to diminish his legacy…