With the Boston Red Sox trying to gain traction in the AL East, they need a spark. With ownership getting involved in operations, it's time for them to take the step that CBO Craig Breslow refuses to take: bolstering this lineup.
There are plenty of right-handed batters that the Red Sox can get, especially with their highly established farm system. These batters are not only great with the stick but can also be influential in the locker room or can play incredible defense.
Also, as a disclaimer, there will be mock trades that would best fit both teams, and the prospects will have a ranking based on our own Red Sox Top 30 Prospect Rankings.
First up is a player rumored to be a trade partner with the Red Sox last winter...
Houston Astros 3B/1B Isaac Paredes
The Red Sox were looking into Isaac Paredes well into last winter. The Houston Astros had collapsed late in the season and missed the playoffs for the first time in nine years, and it seemed like their dynasty days were slowly drifting away. Meanwhile, Boston was looking to acquire a power-hitter that could mesh well with their Green Monster at Fenway Park, and Paredes, a heavy-pull hitter, was a perfect fit for them.
Paredes has been one of the better hitters in that Astros offense. As of Jun. 9, he has a slashline of .241/.331/.415/.746, while hitting nine home runs and driving in 33 runs in 62 games (224 at-bats). He's also hit 12 doubles already this season, whereas last year in 102 games, he had only hit 15.
But the best thing about Paredes this season is that he's healthy. Last year, he suffered a severe hamstring tear that took him out for 60 games. With a big injury like that, one would choose to undergo surgery, cut their losses, and try again the next year. But Paredes avoided it and chose rehabilitation instead, which is why his being healthy this season is crucial to his future. Many know that avoiding surgery, especially with a tear in a muscle, can lead to further damage and delay the inevitability of finally going under the knife.
So far, that hasn't happened, which is outstanding for him.
The Astros sit in fourth place in their division with a 31-37 record. Even if they're sitting 4.5 games back in the division, they're also a good 2.5 games behind the last Wild Card spot. If things start to skid, expect Paredes and others to be on the sellers' market come August 4th. The Red Sox, in need of a power bat and desperate for one at this point, may be willing to revisit and take on his contract.
Mock Trade (Approved by BaseballTradeValues.com)
BOS: 3B/1B Isaac Paredes
HOU: RHP Greg Weissert, IF Yoelin Cespedes (#10), RHP Marcus Phillips (#29), OF Harold Rivas (#20)
Houston Astros 1B Christian Walker
Speaking of the Astros, their first baseman, Christian Walker, will also be one of these pieces sold off if Houston decides to go that direction. Walker, another power-hitting right-handed bat, is a perfect fit for the Red Sox to go after.
Walker burst onto the scene at 28 years old for the Arizona Diamondbacks after the Paul Goldschmidt trade that sent him to the St. Louis Cardinals. In that 2019 season, the Pennsylvania native was one of the few bright spots for that D-Backs offense, hitting 29 home runs with 73 RBIs, 26 doubles, and 137 hits in 529 at-bats (152 games).
While having a couple of down years in 2020 and 2021, he came back in the best way. From 2022 to his last year with the D-Backs in 2024, he hit 95 home runs, batted .250, hit 87 doubles, and drove in 281 runs.
After hitting free agency in that offseason, he signed a three-year, $60 million deal with the Astros. So far, he's been worth the billing. He hit 27 home runs, drove in 88 runs, and hit 24 doubles on 134 total hits in 2025. This season, he's hitting 16 home runs and is leading the AL with 48 RBIs. He's also hitting with the highest batting average since 2024 at .252. His slugging percentage, albeit only three months into the season, is at an even .500.
He has serious power, and Boston would love to get in the mix for him. Not only that, but he's also a three-time Gold Glove winner, and he could alternate with Willson Contreras at first base and at DH. Parting with someone like Jarren Duran would make sense, given that Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu in right, alongside Carlos Narvaez and Mickey Gasper catching, they'd have to trade someone. This also helps with Duran already being an established player, and the Astros need outfielders badly.
Mock Trade (Approved by BaseballTradeValues.com)
BOS: 1B Christian Walker
HOU: OF Jarren Duran
***HOU Covers $32M for 2026***
Los Angeles Angels RF/DH Jorge Soler
As always, Jorge Soler is a prime trade candidate at the deadline. He's exactly what teams look for on an interim basis. He's got power and can play the outfield if needed, but if he were to be traded to Boston, he would be nowhere near the field.
Playing in his second season for the Los Angeles Angels, Soler has hit nine home runs with 10 doubles on the season. At age 34, he's still performing decently when it comes to the high dimensions in that left field at Angels Stadium.
But this all depends on whether or not the Angels' owner, Arte Moreno, decides to finally sell assets at the market. Knowing his past trade deadlines, he won't do anything but want to buy.
Mock Trade (Approved by BaseballTradeValues.com)
BOS: DH Jorge Soler, RHP Ryan Johnson
LAA: LHP Hayden Mullins (#14)
Kansas City Royals C/DH Salvador Perez
If the Red Sox are looking for a more veteran piece, Salvador Perez fits that exact role. With the Kansas City Royals in dire straits, sitting in last place in the AL Central, they may want to sell off pieces like Perez and Kris Bubic when they can.
Perez, in his 16-year career, has hit 319 career home runs, 326 career doubles, and has posted a career slugging percentage of .454. While that's not really imposing, he's also won five Gold Gloves at catcher, been a nine-time All-Star, been a five-time Silver Slugger, and won the Roberto Clemente Award back in 2024 for being the biggest influence off the field.
In addition to all of that, he was a key piece of the 2015 Royals team that won the World Series for only the second time in their history.
Perez can bring veteran experience to this young team, and he can bring the power as well at the DH spot. This season, he's slugged nine home runs, but his slash line has been incredibly low at .204/.254/.345/.599. However, having a Hall of Fame caliber player on their roster, even at 36 years old, can improve a team in the locker room.
Not only that, but he doesn't have to play every day. The Venezuelan native can also back up both Mickey Gasper and Carlos Narvaez at catcher if they need a day off, and he can definitely still bring it at his age, throwing out eight batters in 29 games at the catcher position.
But again, as an everyday player, his days are over. But as a locker room influence that can play part-time? He'll definitely be a key piece on that front, and since he's going to be a free agent by the end of this year, what does Boston have to lose? Better yet, they could get him for cheap, with K.C. having to possibly pay off some of his contract to take a better return.
Mock Trade (Approved by BaseballTradeValues.com)
BOS: C/DH Salvador Perez
KC: IF Mikey Romero (#13), 3B Antonio Anderson
***Royals Will Cover 12M for 2026***
Baltimore Orioles LF/3B/DH Taylor Ward
The Baltimore Orioles are currently sitting in fourth place, only in front of the Red Sox, with a 31-36 record. If they don't get any footing, it may cause them to sell pieces in early August. Taylor Ward is a high candidate to be traded.
Entering free agency this year, Ward has been excellent and is leading the team with a 1.8 WAR so far. He's hit only three home runs, but he's hit 16 doubles while recording 63 hits on the season in 242 at-bats. This means he has a slashline of .260/.403/.364/.766.
While he may tap into his power at Fenway Park, he'll also work well as an outfielder if they need him. His fielding percentage is exactly 1.000. This means that he's made all the putouts that were to him (108) and has not committed a single error.
Putting him at DH and alternating him with Duran (if they keep him) could work out in spades.
Mock Trade (Approved by BaseballTradeValues.com)
BOS: LF/3B/DH Taylor Ward
BAL: LHP Jake Bennett (#4), LHP Jojo Ingrassia (#23)
New York Mets IF Bo Bichette
There's a projection that Bo Bichette can be traded, not even a full year into his three-year, $126 million contract with the New York Mets.
If he is, the Red Sox should be knocking on his door. Even if he's not a DH, he can play the second base position very well, as shown previously in the 2025 World Series with the Toronto Blue Jays. So far, he hasn't been living up to his $43 million AAV, only hitting a slashline of .230/.281/.325/.606, while hitting five home runs, driving in 32, and also recording eight doubles on the season.
As of now, the Mets have him on a bad contract due to his performance, and there's a possibility that he may opt out this season due to having that clause in the deal. I can't imagine this could be a trade that the Red Sox wouldn't want to pounce on, but it's also understandable why they wouldn't go after him.
They previously went all-in on Bichette in the previous offseason...almost. However, they spent money on upgrading the rotation, signing Ranger Suarez to a five-year, $130 million contract. Due to this, they presumably quit on Bichette, and he signed with the Mets shortly after Queens lost out on Kyle Tucker, who signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
If the Mets do trade him, he's at his lowest value possible. If he chooses to opt out, he's a pure rental, while earning so much a season. The Mets will need to eat up a lot of his salary for someone to even take him, or to get a return that's at least worth his true potential.
Mock Trade (Approved by BaseballTradeValues.com)
BOS: IF Bo Bichette
NYM: RHP Kyson Witherspoon (#8), UT Nick Sogard
***Mets Will Cover $43M for 2026***
Cincinatti Reds 3B/DH Eugenio Suarez
After signing a one-year, $15 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds this past winter, Eugenio Suarez is trying to regain traction like he did last year in 2025. During that season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, he struggled for the first two months, with a batting average of .219 from the start on March 27th to May 24th. But even then, he was hitting 14 home runs during that time.
Come June 10th this season, he's hitting .203, but only hitting four home runs with 17 RBIs, so the power hasn't been what it was. But he was dealing with an oblique injury from April 22nd, and didn't return from the IL until May 23rd. Since his return, he's only been batting .154 with one home run and three hits, driving in six runs.
Hoping he can get out of the funk, he'll be a good candidate, especially when hitting at Fenway. He's batting .425 with four home runs and driving in 14. Maybe a change of scenery to his best ballpark helps him out? For a cheap get, may I add??
Mock Trade (Approved by BaseballTradeValues.com)
BOS: 3B/DH Eugenio Suárez
CIN: IF Isiah Kiner-Falefa, OF Miguel Bleis
San Francisco Giants IF Casey Schmitt
As part of the potent San Francisco Giants offense, Casey Schmitt is breaking out in front of our very eyes. He's hitting a slash line of .278/.309/.523/.831, while hitting 15 home runs and recording 12 doubles. He's also only walked seven times this season, while only striking out 51 batters.
No matter where you break it down, Schmitt is one of the better hitters on that offense. But with the Giants sitting in fourth place, only in front of the Colorado Rockies, with a 28-41 record. With their farm system sitting at the bottom 15 in the rankings, President of Baseball Ops Buster Posey and GM Zack Minasian have a golden opportunity at their fingertips: Unload the depth and reload on the prospects.
They could get a haul for the likes of Luis Arraez, Jung-Hoo Lee, Matt Chapman, Landon Roupp, Robbie Ray, and others, which will give them the edge they'll need. They're not true contenders given how the Dodgers, Padres, and D-Backs are all competing above them in their division, so selling would be the wise choice. Plus, their farm system would be one of the better ones in baseball if they do it correctly.
Mock Trade (Approved by BaseballTradeValues.com)
BOS: IF Casey Schmitt
SF: RHP Kyson Witherspoon (#8), RHP John Holobetz (#11)
San Francisco Giants 3B Matt Chapman
Speaking of the Giants, Chapman, as aforementioned, is another prime trade candidate for them come August. He's been the best player on the roster besides Rafael Devers. So far, he's recorded a slashline of .251/.337/.372/.709, while hitting four home runs and driving in 34 with 16 doubles on the season. While his defense hasn't been the best since 2024, he's leading baseball with 142 assists and 19 double plays.
When he signed with the Giants in the 2023-2024 offseason, it was for a hefty contract: six years, worth $151 million, no opt-outs, and an AAV of $25 million. He's won five Gold Gloves, two Platinum Gloves, and also the now-defunct Wilson Overall Defensive Player of the Year Award back in 2018 when he was with the then-Oakland Athletics.
He would work wonders in that Red Sox infield, or at worst, in the DH spot temporarily. But if they do acquire him, it wouldn't be smart to keep him as DH, but to put him at third full-time, move Caleb Durbin to second base, and have Duran at DH once Roman Anthony comes back.
Chapman would, in all facets, be the best pick out of all these options, and they should go above and beyond to go get him. Although with the amount of money he's locked into, the value may be less than the Giants want out of him, and at least, having to pay some of his contract off. It would have to be around $75 million off his contract that they would have to pay off to get a good haul for him.
Mock Trade (Approved by BaseballTradeValues.com)
BOS: 3B Matt Chapman
SF: RHP Justin Slaten, RHP Anthony Eyanson (#2)
***Giants Will Cover $75M out of $125M***
Colorado Rockies C/DH Hunter Goodman
Last but not least, Hunter Goodman, the catcher for the Colorado Rockies. He has become one of the best power hitters in baseball. In just his first season, after playing just 23 and 70 games in 2023 and 2024, Goodman hit 31 home runs in 2025, driving in 91 runs, recording 28 doubles and 150 hits in 540 at-bats (144 games).
In 2026, he's doing even better, hitting 18 home runs with a slash line of .243/.319/.526/.845 and recording 11 doubles with 33 RBIs. In his last seven games, he's hit five home runs, 10 RBIs, and has an OPS of 1.384. He's been red-hot since the start of June, and the Red Sox would love to have a guy like him in their lineup.
He hasn't been the best catcher in the world, which would work well if they want to put him at DH as his primary position and have him play catcher for, say, 20 games. Since the Rockies are building for the future, they may not sell him, but if the Red Sox put up a fight in trade talks, you may never know.
Mock Trade (Approved by BaseballTradeValues.com)
BOS: C/DH Hunter Goodman
COL: OF Jarren Duran, UT Nick Sogard, OF Miguel Bleis
Red Sox have options, but Matt Chapman may reign supreme
Now, these are only possible given if teams decide to sell these pieces, which half of these players may not be, but the Red Sox are desperate enough to make these phone calls and just put an offer out there. Sometimes, that's all a team needs to do.
Everyone wishes they had abided by that logic this past offseason, but there's nothing that can be done about it now.
The best fit for them? It's Matt Chapman for sure. He fits so many holes, both on defense and in the batter's box. But if they want a team leader, they can also go with Salvador Perez. But Perez can't be the main piece. This isn't 2021 anymore, and everyone knows that. To be fair, they should get both; play Chapman full-time and have Perez be the bench-bat that can help cheer the team on as a veteran piece.
Again, the deadline is now less than two months away, so anything can happen. But if these teams stay the course, sometime on August 4th, expect some moves to be made.
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