Red Sox assess roster options before trade deadline amid injury concerns
Boston's front office is evaluating trade possibilities and internal options as the team approaches the July 31 deadline, while injuries have left key positions, especially shortstop, shorthanded.
Boston will play its final series before the July 31 trade deadline at Dodger Stadium, beginning Friday night, as the Red Sox aim to maintain a 20-3 record since early July. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow is expected to explore roster upgrades while the team remains in Boston.
Breslow recently traded rookie left-hander Connelly Early to Washington for right-handed hitter Curtis Mead, but Mead suffered a non-displaced fracture to his left wrist in his second at-bat with the Nationals. Injuries have also depleted the middle infield, with shortstops Trevor Story, Marcelo Mayer and Isiah Kiner-Falefa all on the injured list and no projected return dates.
Andruw Monasterio has filled in at shortstop but committed three errors in the most recent four-game series against Oakland. The Red Sox have been linked to shortstop candidates such as Zach Neto (Los Angeles Angels) and Otto Lopez (Miami Marlins). Boston could trade its top shortstop prospect, Franklin Arias, to a rebuilding club for an established player. The Marlins might also provide utility player Liam Hicks, who has seen time at catcher, first base and designated hitter, potentially in a package deal with Lopez.
Catcher Ryan Jeffers of Minnesota has been mentioned, though the Twins, a team still in contention, may be reluctant to part with him despite his expiring contract. Boston continues to seek additional power hitters; the team has recorded 104 home runs, second only to the Brewers.
The pitching staff, improved under Breslow’s three-year tenure, remains a focus. The Red Sox recently traded away pitcher Connelly Early, and starter Garrett Crochet is unlikely to return until late in the season due to shoulder inflammation. Potential targets include starting pitchers Tarik Skubal or Hunter Greene, as well as depth options to support the rotation anchored by Brayan Bello.
Outfielder Roman Anthony, who missed action after a tendon injury in May, resumed light batting work this week in Fort Myers, Florida. Breslow cautioned that decisions will be made independently of any uncertain player returns.
"We have to make all of those decisions independent of each other just to make sure we're not relying on something that we're not certain about," Breslow said in a Thursday interview on WEEI.
With recent strong performance, Boston could see its most active July trade period in years.