Red Sox Trade Deadline Preview: Three Potential Targets to Fill Boston's Biggest Weakness

The 2026 season has been a nightmare for the Boston Red Sox. They are nine games under .500 and sit four games behind the last American League wild-card spot. They have missed the production of star players Garrett Crochet and Roman Anthony, who have both dealt with prolonged stints on the injured list. In addition, they have struggled offensively, ranking in the bottom five of the league for runs scored.

With the trade deadline less than two months away, the team needs to decide whether it is going to be sellers or attempt to salvage the season by adding reinforcements. Last season, their second-half turnaround was fueled by the arrival of many top prospects that added life to the lineup. However, with those same prospects already on the big-league roster, the team needs to focus on the trade deadline to bring in some offense.

While their lineup has been lackluster, the pitching staff has been a strength. The breakouts of prospects like Payton Tolle and Connelly Early, paired with the free-agent acquisitions of Sonny Gray and Ranger Suarez, have given Boston a capable rotation while Crochet has been out. With a blend of youth and experience anchoring the staff and Crochet’s impending return, the team finds itself with depth they could use to rebuild its offense. Given their place in the standings, Boston should focus on targets that offer both positional versatility and long-term value in addition to immediate help.

3 Red Sox Trade Targets Who Can Upgrade Infield

#3 Isaac Paredes (Houston Astros)

Speculation about a potential trade between the Red Sox and the Houston Astros has been ongoing since the idea of Jarren Duran being available surfaced. The breakout of Roman Anthony last season, combined with the emergence of Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela, has left Boston with a crowded outfield. Despite a slow start, Duran’s combination of power and speed makes him a valuable piece that could garner Boston a significant return.

Isaac Paredes would offer the Red Sox a combination of right-handed power and strong plate discipline that could help balance out the lineup. While he has had a slower start to the season, batting .238/.332/.388, he is still an elite pull-hitter and offers positional versatility, also playing second and first. At 27 years old and under team control for two more seasons, Paredes could make an immediate impact while continuing to grow alongside Boston’s young core.

#2 Luis Arraez (San Francisco Giants)

While Luis Arraez is not the most flashiest name on the trade market, he offers something that the Red Sox desperately need: stability. He's never been known power, but his reliability as an elite contact hitter who hardly strikes out would help an offense that has struggled to generate runs. This season, he is batting .325/.364/.436 and ranks second in the MLB in hits. His value also extends beyond the batter’s box with his ability to play first base, offering Boston another versatile player to help build its depth.

This season, the team has seen a revolving door of injuries with Trevor Story being the most recent to land on the 60-day IL. Before his injury, the duo of Marcelo Mayer and Story in the middle infield has been lackluster, with both batting below .225. In the first game without Story, Mayer moved back to shortstop, the position he played for most of his career. Getting Arraez would solidify that change, more than likely pushing Story to the bench (or third base) for the remainder of the season.

#1 Matt Shaw (Chicago Cubs)

A name that has circled around the league since last offseason, Shaw is an ostensible prospect with high upside who could be a plug-and-play option for the Red Sox. After signing Alex Bregman and extending Nico Hoerner, the Cubs have found themselves with a surplus of infield options, but limited spots available. Shaw’s solid bat, along with his ability to play nearly every infield position as well as the corner outfield spots, makes him a valuable but potentially pricey trade target.

While Shaw has spent time on the injured list, he is currently working through a rehab assignment and should be available soon. Before his injury, he was batting .242/.291/.400, all improvements from his rookie season, as he continues to develop.  The Cubs have been vocal about their search for starting pitching, and Boston’s depth of major-league arms and prospects could open the door for trade discussions. Shaw would not only offer an immediate boost to their lineup, but also offer long-term value as a developing piece alongside the team's core.