Boston Red Sox Rumors: 3 Marlins players to target at MLB Trade Deadline

There are less than two weeks to go until the MLB’s Trade Deadline, and the lack of moves so far is building suspense around the league. Rumors are starting to heat up, and it’s only a matter of time before some trades start popping up around the league.

The Boston Red Sox have long established themselves as a buyer this season, and their recent cold stretch suggests they may need to be more active on the trade market than initially anticipated. They proved they were being proactive in promoting two of their top prospects in Jarren Duran and Tanner Houck, but they may need to do more if they intend on competing for a championship this season.

One team that could become a potential trade partner for them are the Miami Marlins. After a Cinderella story 2020 season that resulted in them unexpectedly making the playoffs, the Marlins have come crashing back to earth this season. While the NL East is still wide open, the Marlins find themselves 10.5 games out of first place, and are expected to be busy dealing away some of their players over the next couple of days.

With the Sox set to be buyers, and the Marlins set to be sellers, it’s fair to believe that a deal could be struck between the two teams. Here are three players from the Marlins who could be trade targets for the Boston Red Sox.

Boston Red Sox Trade Target No. 3: Jesus Aguilar

Jesus Aguilar seemed set for stardom after a monster 2018 season in which he hit 35 home runs and drove in 108 runs for the Milwaukee Brewers. Things didn’t pan out that way, as he struggled for most of the 2019 season and was dumped off to the Tampa Bay Rays at the trade deadline. Aguilar signed with the Marlins after that season, and appeared to be putting things back together in the shortened 2020 season.

Aguilar has continued that with a resurgent 2021 season so far. He’s batting a solid .272 with 17 homers and 68 runs batted in, which is tops in the National League. He appears to be on his way back to his 2018 numbers, and wouldn’t be a bad pickup for the Sox.

Aguilar profiles as a power hitting first baseman, and would be a clear upgrade over Bobby Dalbec and the platoon players filling the position right now. The short left field at Fenway Park would suit Aguilar’s swing perfectly, and he could cause some to passing cars in the Boston area if he finds his way up north.

Aguilar is probably a league average fielder at best, although he’s already up to six errors on the season at first. Even if he struggles in the field, that’s not what the Sox are trading for, and his bat should more than make up for it if he struggles.

Aguilar is already 31 years old, and with the Marlins looking to get younger, they are probably looking to offload their slugging first baseman. Aguilar may be more expensive than other options, such as C.J. Cron of the Colorado Rockies, but he probably offers more offensive upside than them. If the price is right (probably a couple of lower rated prospects), the Sox may want to take a chance on Aguilar.