The Boston Red Sox are interested and have checked in on Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.
With the trade deadline approaching on August 3rd, it's already been a crazy ride for the Red Sox. Curtis Mead was acquired on Saturday from the Nationals in a polarizing yet very good risk-taking move from CBO Craig Breslow. But Mead was taken from them with a hit-by-pitch to his wrist in his second at-bat with the team, which turned out to be a fracture.
For now, it seems like they're back to square one due to unfortunate circumstances.
Otto Lopez could help replace Curtis Mead following his injury
As of Wednesday, the Marlins are now listening to offers for Lopez, infielder Xavier Edwards, catcher Liam Hicks, and outfielder Heriberto Hernandez. Relievers Anthony Bender, Pete Fairbanks, and Michael Petersen have been getting called about as well.
The Red Sox need to pounce on Lopez, who's had an incredible story at 27 years old. He was signed out of the Dominican Republic by the Toronto Blue Jays back in 2016, now just over 10 years ago. He was a former top prospect with the team up until 2022 and made his major league debut in 2021.
He was designated for assignment in 2023, when he was traded to the San Francisco Giants for cash considerations. Despite hitting .667 in eight games in 2022 for the Blue Jays, they didn't see anything in him. The Giants didn't either, as only after a couple of months with him through the winter did they place him on waivers at the start of the 2024 season.
The Marlins claimed him off waivers, and since 2024, he hasn't been considered a DFA candidate again. From 2024-2025, he hit 21 home runs, batted .257 across both seasons, recorded 243 hits, and drove in 116 RBIs. He also stole 35 bases.
But this year? Lopez broke out in his third full season in Miami. He leads all of baseball with a .328 batting average, 136 hits, and 27 doubles on the season, on pace to become the NL's future Batting Champion this year. He's also stolen 22 bases this year, which is a career high with two months left in the season. He made his first All-Star team this year on top of everything else.
Otto Lopez would address a major weakness for the Red Sox
MOCK TRADE
MIA: (SS) Marcelo Mayer, (IF) Isiah Kiner-Falefa, High-A/Low-A OF Prospect
BOS: (SS/2B) Otto Lopez
As for the Red Sox, with Trevor Story and Marcelo Mayer out with injuries, there's no true threat at the shortstop position. Moving people around can help, but Lopez is far more likely to be a second baseman than a shortstop, as he's recorded a lifetime .966 fielding percentage at the position. He has 15 errors at the position just this season. At second, he has a lifetime fielding percentage of .988.
As for the trade itself? It may have to be a bigger return to be thrown out than expected, with a thin shortstop market. So far, it's just Lopez and Zach Neto, with a possible touch of C.J. Abrams as well if the Nationals find a good suitor.
The Marlins are not too far off from a playoff push, especially with their recent 20-win June. They can build off their farm system and bolster it heavily with their top players. Right now, they're ranked #20 in that regard, with mainly pitchers as their top prospects. They need hitters.
With that in mind, they would most likely ask for shortstop Marcelo Mayer, on top of a top prospect and a depth reliever. Adding someone like left-hander Tyler Samaniego or right-hander Angel Bastardo could sweeten the deal.
The top prospect would have to be another outfielder. With the recent draftees of Owen Hull and Martin Shelar being placed in the minors soon, shedding some of the depth in High-A Greenville can help with roster construction. Maybe someone like Isaiah Jackson, Yophery Rodriguez, or even Starlyn Nunez from Low-A can help with that. The big piece would undoubtedly be Mayer, but adding a depth player and another prospect or two can make the deal stand out.
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