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.
Boston Red Sox Trade Target No. 2: Starling Marte
It’s safe to say the Boston Red Sox haven’t necessarily had a conventional leadoff hitter all season long, but they could solve that issue by adding Starling Marte. According to FanSided’s Robert Murray, Marte is likely going to be dealt away from the Marlins after he rejected a three year, $30 million extension. The Sox could probably use another outfielder, so why not make a splash for Marte.
For eight seasons, Marte roamed center field for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and was a consistent bat at the top of their lineup who always found his way on base. But Marte was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for the 2020 season, and then was picked up by the Marlins at last season’s trade deadline after they were surprisingly contending for a playoff spot last season.
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Now Marte is set to hit free agency this offseason, and appears unlikely to stay with Miami past this season. Marte could come in and offer the Sox a speedy presence at the top of their lineup who can consistently find his way on base.
Not to mention, Marte is one of the best defensive outfielders in the game. He already has two gold gloves to his name, and could very well be on his way to another this season if he keeps up his solid performance.
If Marte was acquired, he could allow Kike Hernandez to go back to a utility role, which suits him better than playing as an everyday center fielder. Red Sox manager Alex Cora could potentially slot Hernandez in as a first baseman for awhile, or you can put him at second base and put someone like Christian Arroyo at first when he comes back from the injured list.
The Sox have the flexibility to move players around if they want to pick up Marte, which they can probably do for quite a cheap price considering the lack of leverage Miami has in this situation. Even if Marte is only a rental, he could be a valuable piece for the Sox to add if they are serious about contending for a World Series championship this season, and they should be in the market for him if the price is right.
Boston Red Sox Trade Target No. 1: Pablo Lopez
In terms of long-term value, Pablo Lopez may be the best option available on the market. After struggling to find any sort of consistency early on in his career, the 25 year old has had a breakout season in Miami, and was probably snubbed of a deserved All-Star spot.
After posting an ugly 5.09 ERA just two seasons ago, Lopez has lowered his ERA by two full runs this season to a cool 3.03. His record is just 5-5, but that’s what you get when you play a cellar-dweller like the Marlins. He has already hit a career high with 111 strikeouts, with his most recent impressive feat being striking out nine straight batters against the Atlanta Braves, which is an MLB record.
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Best of all Lopez is just 25, and is under team control through arbitration for the next three seasons. He will be due for a raise, as he’s criminally underpaid making just $595,000 this season, but the ability to keep him with the team for the next three seasons only adds to his value. If the Sox want a long-term option rather than a rental, Lopez is their guy.
Boston’s rotation has begun to falter as of late, and even though they recently promoted Tanner Houck and appear set to be getting Chris Sale back at some point next month, you can never have too much pitching. Lopez offers the ability to stick around the rotation for not only the rest of this season, but the next few seasons as well. He’s also just 25, and could turn into Boston’s next ace if things break the right way.
Even as the Marlins labor through another losing season, Lopez may not be made available at the trade deadline. If he is, the Red Sox should absolutely be in the market for his services. Rarely do you have the opportunity to snag a player who is performing now, and has the potential to be a part of the team for seasons to come. But the Sox have that here with Lopez, and they should absolutely make a move for him if the opportunity presents itself.