Matthew Lenz

The Boston Red Sox have a handful of player or mutual options that will significantly impact their offseason plans. Most notably, Alex Bregman is expected to opt out of his player option but has said he's interested in returning to the club. Another big name, Jarren Duran, has a unique team option despite still being arbitration-eligible, and it's unclear what direction the team may take with the former top prospect. Additionally, Lucas Giolito and Liam Hendriks have mutual options, both of which are expected to be declined by the team. Then we finally get to Trevor Story. Chris Cotillo of MassLive is reporting that "Boston decision makers are — cautiously — quite optimistic that Story will opt in and play out the remaining two years and $55 million on his deal." One thing that may be impacting Story is that the club can void his opt-out by adding an extra year and $20 million to the current deal, which would make him a free agent following the 2028 season at 34 years old. Story enjoyed a bounce-back in 2025, finishing the regular season with 25 home runs, 96 RBIs, and a career-high 31 stolen bases. He became the first Red Sox player to record a 20-home run, 20-stolen base season since Nomar Garciaparra in 1997. Despite the impressive numbers, his wRC+ of 101 indicates he was merely an average producer at the plate. Of the players they control, which options should be accepted? Would you like to see Story come back? Let us know in the comments! View full rumor

The Boston Red Sox will need to shuffle their active roster after signing first baseman Nathaniel Lowe. Additionally, one more spot will need to be created for Nate Eaton. Andrew Parker of Beyond the Monster is reporting that the Boston Red Sox plan to activate Nate Eaton ahead of Monday nights game. In all, there will need to be two corresponding moves before either player is officially added to the active roster. 3:19 update: Per Chris Cotillo of MassLive is reporting that Rob Refsnyder has been moved to the 10-day IL with an oblique strain and Ali Sanchez has been designated for assignment to make room for Eaton and Lowe. Eaton has played in 14 major league games this season, where he holds a .250/.296/.333 slash line amount to a wOBA of .276 and a wRC+ of 70. Eaton has spent the majority of the season with the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox, appearing in 53 games and hitting .277/.364/.439. While his productivity leaves you wanting more, his positional versatility will be a welcomed addition to the Red Sox depth. How much of an impact will Eaton have on the club? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

After a relatively disappointing trade deadline, the Boston Red Sox are 7-3 in their last 10 games. Yet, they're still looking to solidify their bullpen and made moves on Monday to do just that. Chris Cotillo of MassLive is reporting that the Boston Red Sox have DFA'd Nick Burdi and selected Jovani Moran to join the big-league club. Burdi had previously been on the injured list since June 3 with a bruised foot and was later transferred to the 60-day injured list on July 9 after a setback with a hip injury. He had been activated from the injured list on August 2 and optioned to Triple-A Worcester. Before the injury, Burdi had pitched 5 1/3 innings for the Red Sox in the major leagues this season, with a 0.00 ERA and a 2.36 FIP. Moran, acquired from the Minnesota Twins for Mickey Gasper in the offseason, missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in November 2023. He has been pitching for the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox, and in 12 appearances has a 3.44 ERA with 26 strikeouts and three walks in 18 1/3 innings. What role do you think Jovani Moran slips into in the Red Sox bullpen? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

The Boston Red Sox front office is going to be especially busy this week as we approach the 48-hour mark to the trade deadline. Over the last week or so, they've been tied to nearly every name on the market as they look to bolster their rotation, bullpen, first base, and catching depth. Jim Bowden is reporting that the Red Sox "are speed dialing the [Minnesota] Twins at an annoying level with continued interest" in multiple players. He also mentions four other teams, including two AL East rivals. The headliner would be starter Joe Ryan, who is having a Cy Young caliber season to this point, sporting a 2.82 ERA (3.17 FIP) and a 23.8% strikeout-minus-walk (K-BB) rate. He is controllable through 2027. However, he's not the only high-end asset the Twins have to offer, and the Blue Jays are interested in. They're also calling on "basically the whole bullpen", which focuses on Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, and possibly even Danny Coulombe. All three have been elite producers for the Twins this season, and Duran and Jax are controllable through 2027. Coulombe, a lefty specialist, will be a free agent at season's end. Lastly, Bowden reports that they're also calling on outfielder Harrison Bader and super-utility Willi Castro. Both players have been plus contributors for the Twins. Bader is carrying a .776 OPS with 12 home runs and 10 stolen bases. He also provides a plus glove in the outfield. Castro, who is less strong defensively but much more versatile, has a .761 OPS with 10 home runs and nine stolen bases. Both players will be free agents at the end of the season. The Red Sox have been tied to MANY names recently. Who should they prioritize? Join the conversation in the comments. View full rumor

The Boston Red Sox have been unable to solve their first base puzzle since Triston Casas went down earlier this season. It remains one of their bigger needs as the trade deadline approaches. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic is reporting that the Tampa Bay Rays may be softening and more willing to trade Yandy Díaz. Díaz is having another good offensive season for the Tampa Bay Rays. In 97 games, he has posted an. OPS of .816. He has hit 17 home runs, demonstrating his increased power output in recent years. Díaz has contributed significantly to the Rays' offense with 50 runs scored and 60 runs batted in. He is controllable through 2026, and has a 2027 club option that vests at $13 million with 500 plate appearances in 2026. Should the Red Sox acquire Díaz? Join the conversation in the comments. View full rumor

As all signs point to the Boston Red Sox purchasing over the next week, it appears they are also interested in acquiring prospects. Sean McAdam of MassLive is reporting that the Boston Red Sox have interest in Los Angeles Dodgers catching prospect Dalton Rushing. He goes on to report that the Dodgers are interested in Red Sox prospects Franklin Arias and Brandon Clarke. Rushing, who debuted on May 15, has struggled with the Dodgers, posting a .577 OPS with just one home run. While a majority of his time has been spent behind the plate, he has also played at first base, which would provide the Red Sox with depth at multiple positions of need. Clark and Arias, both at High-A Greenville, have had good seasons. Both are considered top 100 prospects by multiple sources. Do you think the Red Sox should acquire Rushing or shoot for a larger fish? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

One way or another, and whether it be at this trade deadline or sometime down the road, the San Diego Padres seem adamant to pry Jarren Duran away from the Boston Red Sox. Earlier today, Sean McAdam of MassLive provided yet another update between the two clubs. The Padres offered the Red Sox a package including SP Dylan Cease, C Ethan Salas and another prospect (not SS Leo de Vries) in exchange for Duran, which was “quickly rejected,” McAdam later adds that while it's likely Duran is eventually traded, it's "unlikely" to happen this summer. Would you have taken the deal the Padres offered? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

Ahead of the home half of the fifth inning, the Boston Red Sox replaced infielder Marcelo Mayer with Abraham Toro at third base. Shortly after the move was made, Chris Cotillo of MassLive reported he left Wednesday's game with right wrist discomfort. At this point the severity of the injury is unclear. With the Red Sox reportedly being aggressive over the next week, some speculated whether he was possibly traded mid-game. Unfortunately, that's not the case and video from the dugout shows Mayer pointing to his wrist. Mayer was called up following Alex Bergman's injury earlier this season. In 43 games this season, he has an OPS of .674 with 4 home runs, 19 runs scored, and 10 runs batted in. He has seen playing time at third base, second base, and shortstop. Stay tuned to Talk Sox for updates and reactions! View full rumor

The San Diego Padres plan to be buyers at the deadline in anticipation of a playoff push. They may also be sellers, and the Chicago Cubs could be one of their suitors. Buster Olney of ESPN is reporting that San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease is available at the trade deadline, and that "AL East" teams have discussed the 30-year-old free agent-to-be. Across 20 starts and 108.2 innings pitched, Cease's. ERA currently stands at 4.64, which is more than a full run higher than his FIP, suggesting he's experienced some bad luck or been hurt by his defense. Cease continues to be a high-strikeout pitcher, with a K% of 30.0% and a BB% of 8.4%, translating to an impressive K-BB% of 21.6%. He will be a free agent at the end of the season with incredible upside, despite his underperforming surface stats. Given the shallow starter's market and the numerous teams seeking rotation help, his cost will be substantial. Any team acquiring the right-hander will likely need to overpay to acquire him. Moreover, given the Padres' position in the playoff picture, they are likely looking for a combination of MLB-ready and prospect pieces. Should the Boston Red Sox do what it takes to acquire Dylan cease? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

With a few different potential needs at the upcoming deadline, the Boston Red Sox have pinpointed their primary target over the next eight days. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com is reporting that the Boston Red Sox are prioritizing starting pitching to pair with Garrett Crochet. Many names have been floated around, such as Pittsburgh Pirates' Mitch Keller, Miami Marlins' Edward Cabrera and Sandy Alcantara, and the Arizona Diamondbacks' Zac Gallen. They've also been rumored to be very interested in Minnesota Twins starter Joe Ryan, though the Twins are reportedly not looking to move the All-Star unless they are blown away by an offer. Do you think the Red Sox are targeting the biggest area of need? Of the starters available, who peaks your interest the most? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

The Boston Red Sox are going to be buyers at the deadline and have multiple areas to improve on their roster. Robert Murray of FanSided discussed what he's hearing regarding the Boston Red Sox and the upcoming trade deadline on his The Baseball Insiders live stream. In short, the team will be "quite busy". Murray notes that the Red Sox will realistically pursue a starting pitcher at the deadline. Many names have been floated around, such as Pittsburgh Pirates' Mitch Keller, Miami Marlins' Edward Cabrera and Sandy Alcantara, and the Arizona Diamondbacks' Zac Gallen. They've also been rumored to be very interested in Minnesota Twins starter Joe Ryan, though the Twins are reportedly not looking to move the All-Star. Moreover, Murray goes on to list names like the Dbacks Josh Naylor and Baltimore Oriole's Ryan O'Hearn as potential stop-gaps at first base. A position that has been a game of musical chairs since the season ending knee injury of Tristan Casas. All reports suggest the Red Sox will be aggressive at the deadline, with rumors that they're even willing to trade Jarren Duran. Do you think they should go all-in considering how the season has played out thus far? Let us know in the comments! View full rumor

Before the Boston Red Sox series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora sat down with a pool of reporters. Christopher Smith of MassLive is reporting that "[Ceddanne] Rafaela [will] make an occasional start at second base", per Cora. However, he also reported that Marcelo Mayer will stay in the majors and "play a lot of second base." Rafaela has shown a notable offensive improvement this season, evidenced by a .268 batting average, 12 home runs, and a .779 OPS as of July 11. He has also contributed 12 stolen bases. Defensively, Rafaela has maintained his versatility, primarily playing center field, showcasing strong defensive metrics and a significant defensive WAR (3.8). Mayer, in his MLB debut season, has displayed mixed results offensively. With a .231 batting average, 4 home runs, and a .684 OPS in 36 games, his offensive performance has been modest. He has primarily played third base and shortstop. Do you agree with the decision to keep Mayer in the big-leagues and to take Rafaella out of centerfield from time to time? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor