Red Sox's Pursuit of Marlins' Otto Lopez Dead in the Water

[Matthew Nethercott]

The Red Sox have been searching for a shortstop in recent days as the 2026 MLB trade deadline nears. It was reported earlier in the week that the Red Sox had interest in Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez. Sean McAdam of MassLive is reporting that those talks are "dead", with the two sides not having communicated as much in recent days.

McAdam added that the Marlins are not motivated to move Lopez with years of club control remaining.

It can be assumed that the Red Sox will remain active in talks to acquire a shortstop, with Angels Zach Neto and Nationals CJ Abrams remaining the best options for Boston to acquire before Monday night at 6:00pm EST.

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[moonslav59]

Abrams would be a massive boost to the offense. If Arias becomes who many think he may become, Abrams could slide to 2B and Mead to DH or 1B, once Willson's days are done.

I've kinda soured on Neto due to his defense and high K rate. He'd still help our offense and power, but at too high a cost?

[SoxPhan]

32 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Abrams would be a massive boost to the offense. If Arias becomes who many think he may become, Abrams could slide to 2B and Mead to DH or 1B, once Willson's days are done.

I've kinda soured on Neto due to his defense and high K rate. He'd still help our offense and power, but at too high a cost?

Yeah, Neto is bunk. Hard pass unless the price is much lower than I think it is,

I'm interested in Abrams, but only if he we can get him without giving up both Arias and Eyanson. You'd have to give one(presumably Arias), plus one of Witherspoon/Gonzalez and 2 or 3 more pieces, I would think. 

[moonslav59]

17 minutes ago, SoxPhan said:

Yeah, Neto is bunk. Hard pass unless the price is much lower than I think it is,

I'm interested in Abrams, but only if he we can get him without giving up both Arias and Eyanson. You'd have to give one(presumably Arias), plus one of Witherspoon/Gonzalez and 2 or 3 more pieces, I would think. 

Yes, I'd give...

Arias or Eyanson (not both)

Witherspoon or Gonzalez (maybe both)

Maybe add Godbout/Phillips/Holobetz if one and one from above.

[moonslav59]

 

Abrams is my new KMarte.

 

[notin]

12 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Abrams would be a massive boost to the offense. If Arias becomes who many think he may become, Abrams could slide to 2B and Mead to DH or 1B, once Willson's days are done.

I've kinda soured on Neto due to his defense and high K rate. He'd still help our offense and power, but at too high a cost?

Is it possible to have both Abrams and Arias?

[notin]

This is the loss.

López is probably the best combination of offense and defense among the SS targets…

[moonslav59]

3 minutes ago, notin said:

Is it possible to have both Abrams and Arias?

I suppose, but it would be Eyanson, Witherspoon, Gonzales and Valera. Maybe Soto, Primera or Delzine too or instead of someone.

[notin]

10 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

 

Abrams is my new KMarte.

 

f*** Abrams.  Washington isn’t moving him for any reason other than to stockpile young talent and makeover their franchise.  I mean, that is how they got him in the first place.

Of Neto and Abrams, I prefer Neto.  Sure, the Angels are trying to do the same thing, but unlike the Nationals, at least they suck at it…

[moonslav59]

1 minute ago, notin said:

This is the loss.

López is probably the best combination of offense and defense among the SS targets…

But he's not on the market.

[JoeBrady]

15 minutes ago, notin said:

Is it possible to have both Abrams and Arias?

I don't think so.  Assuming we keep Arias, then our 2027 IF is Mead, Arias, and Durbin, and that assumes we get rid of Story and keep Monasterio is the UIF role.

[moonslav59]

12 minutes ago, notin said:

f*** Abrams.  Washington isn’t moving him for any reason other than to stockpile young talent and makeover their franchise.  I mean, that is how they got him in the first place.

Of Neto and Abrams, I prefer Neto.  Sure, the Angels are trying to do the same thing, but unlike the Nationals, at least they suck at it…

The Angels rarely dumps controllable and promising players.

Washington does.

[moonslav59]

Just now, JoeBrady said:

I don't think so.  Assuming we keep Arias, then our 2027 IF is Mead, Arias, and Durbin, and that assumes we get rid of Story and keep Monasterio is the UIF role.

Mead could DH or even be moved to LF. He could also play 1B when Willson bolts/retires.

[notin]

Just now, moonslav59 said:

The Angels rarely dumps controllable and promising players.

Washington does.

And Washington gets well compensated for it.  James Wood was one of the lower ranked names they got for Soto, and just 4 years later, he’s almost Soto’s equal.

Personally, I say call up Arias. 

[notin]

17 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

But he's not on the market.

That was my point…

[notin]

4 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

The Angels rarely dumps controllable and promising players.

Washington does.

Brandon Marsh?

[notin]

42 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

I don't think so.  Assuming we keep Arias, then our 2027 IF is Mead, Arias, and Durbin, and that assumes we get rid of Story and keep Monasterio is the UIF role.

Even if we deal Arias, it likely means we kept Mayer.

Story is a very likely DFA after the season unless he ends the year with some unlikely honor like World Series MVP…

[vegasbob]

I'm guessing Story makes it to ST(in June/July) mostly to see if other's injuries (Boston or other teams) make him usable somehow 

Otherwise they will waiver himself see if that draws any flies.

In the end , the Sox will pay him out whether he plays or not

[Randy Red Sox]

12 hours ago, SoxPhan said:

Yeah, Neto is bunk. Hard pass unless the price is much lower than I think it is,

I'm interested in Abrams, but only if he we can get him without giving up both Arias and Eyanson. You'd have to give one(presumably Arias), plus one of Witherspoon/Gonzalez and 2 or 3 more pieces, I would think. 

just stay with ewe have.  Don't be giving up any more of our top prospects especially P.  Either Arias or Mayer should be able to be the future SS starting in 2026. As good as July has been I don't see us as true WS contenders in 2026.

 

[notin]

59 minutes ago, Randy Red Sox said:

just stay with ewe have.  Don't be giving up any more of our top prospects especially P.  Either Arias or Mayer should be able to be the future SS starting in 2026. As good as July has been I don't see us as true WS contenders in 2026.

 

Well, bear in mind someone from the American League has to go.  If the Sox are not even contenders, who is?  
 

As weird as it sounds after a very slow April and May, Boston has the third best season record in the American League, tied with Chicago.  As good as or better than every team in the AL Central and AL West.  The only two teams with better records are Tampa and New York, and Boston completed four game sweeps of both of them recently.

So why aren’t the Sox contenders?

[JoeBrady]

2 hours ago, notin said:

So why aren’t the Sox contenders?

I think we have be.  We have the 3rd best record in the AL, and 7 games better than TB over the past 30 games.  Best record is probably a bit of a stretch, but without Judge and Bellinger, and only 3 back in the loss column, we have a shot at 2nd best record.  Things can easily go sideways, but we have a shot.