Matthew Lenz

The Boston Red Sox are in the midst of an impressive win streak as they sprint their way back into the playoff picture. With less than two weeks until deadline day, the Red Sox are now looking like bona fide buyers to continue their impressive run. Jeff Passan of ESPN listed the top 100 trade candidates, which included New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor. Coming in as the 12th best trade candidate, he listed the Red Sox (along with three others, including two AL East foes) as a "best fit" for the four-time Silver Slugger. Lindor, 32, is in the midst of a career-worst season that has been highlighted by a left calf injury that saw him miss two months. When he has been available, he's slashed a paltry .220/.303/.387 (.691 OPS) with just six home runs and two stolen bases. While those numbers are well below his standard and the $32 million salary he's earning, they are only slightly below league average at a 94 wRC+. On the other side of the ball, the two-time Gold Glove winner is still playing a very good shortstop despite the struggles at the plate. Lindor has a no-trade clause that would need to be waived and is under contract through 2031, when he would be 37 years old. Passan points out that "in the past 20 years, only twice has a shortstop 35 or older put up a three-win season. Do you think the Red Sox should trade for Lindor in hopes of a bounce-back? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

The Boston Red Sox are 9-2 over their last 11 games and one of the hottest teams in all of baseball. While their season ebbs and flows with their offense, it's their pitching groups that are likely to receive most of the attention at the upcoming deadline. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic is reporting that several teams are interested in Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Sonny Gray. Gray has long been one of the best non-ace starting pitchers in Major League Baseball, and is on his way to a career year at 36. Through 16 starts, the bulldog has pitched to a 2.61 ERA, though a 3.61 FIP suggests some regression may be in his future, and a 16.4% K-BB rate. In short, he's been one of the few bright spots for a team that had high aspirations at the start of the season. Under normal circumstances, he would fetch a healthy return in any trade; the impending lockout in his age-37 season, along with a mutual option for 2027, is anything but "normal". Ultimately, the right-hander could end up being a rental rather than a piece a team can count on for this season and next. Obviously, this will have an impact on the return the Red Sox can get on the trade market. The Red Sox are very much in the playoff race. Do you think they should trade Gray? Let us know in the comments! View full rumor

The Boston Red Sox are in the midst of another disappointing season, yet find themselves only four games out of the American League's final wild card spot. Whether they buy, sell, or stand pat at the deadline remains to be seen, but there will be a market for some of their players. Jarren Duran is one of those players, and Chandler Rome of The Athletic is reporting that the "[Houston] Astros focus at the trade deadline is a left-handed hitting outfielder." If the Red Sox don't find any prospects that strike their fancy, the Astros do have more left-handed relievers than one bullpen realistically needs. This could allow the Red Sox to deal from the Major League roster while also bolstering another position group, especially if they decide to move Aroldis Chapman. However, even if they were to move Chapman, their bullpen isn't necessarily in need of more southpaws. Like much of the Red Sox offense, Duran has struggled this year, slashing .201/.261/.364 this year with 13 home runs and 14 stolen bases across 82 games. He has two more years of team control. Do you think the Red Sox should trade Duran? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

Yesterday, it was rumored that the Boston Red Sox were looking for a right-handed bat to improve their lineup. It seems that one of the players they may look to move to make this happen could be backstop Connor Wong. Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic is reporting that the Red Sox are "shopping" Wong, who has some depth at catcher with Carlos Narvaez and Mickey Gasper also on the 40-man roster. Wong has been solid, yet unspectacular this year, slashing .247/.305/.377 this year with 0 home runs and a stolen base. While those numbers are roughly league average (99 wRC+), the lack of power (.111 ISO) really mitigates any impact in the lineup. Moreover, he profiles has a below average (or worse) catcher behind the plate and it really makes you wonder what kind of value Wong has on the market. However, a team doesn't have to look back more than a couple of years to his 2024 breakout to see some potential in a guy who has two years of team control beyond 2026. It's also worth noting that McCaffrey says the Red Sox have received calls on some bullpen arms: Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Whitlock, and Justin Slaten. However, she reports that they currently have "no interest in dealing anyone from that bullpen trio." In other words, it's too early to label yourself a seller (and the Red Sox are very much in the Wild Card race). Do you think the Red Sox can get anything for Connor Wong? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

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! View full rumor

Finally, we reach the top 5 Boston Red Sox prospects as ranked by the contributors at Talk Sox. Does Payton Tolle or Connelly Early claim the top spot? Who else joins them in the top 5? That and more in this video! Discussed in this video are Juan Valera, Kyson Witherspoon, Franklin Arias, Connelly Early, and Payton Tolle. View full video

As we enter the top 10 Boston Red Sox prospects as voted on by the contributors at Talk Sox, we look at where Marcus Phillips lands. What is Justin Gonzales's long-term outlook? That and more on the prospects in the 6 through 10 range! Discussed in this video are prospects Anthony Eyanson, Marcus Phillips, Dorian Soto, Justin Gonzales, and Mikey Romero. View full video

Next in Talk Sox prospect rankings, we look at the group in the 11 through 15 range. What is Jake Bennett's upside? What position will Henry Godbout call home in the long run? These questions and more are answered in this video! Discussed in this video are prospects Yoeilin Cespedes, Henry Godbout, Johanfran Garcia, Jake Bennett, and Miguel Bleis. View full video