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Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What Will Red Sox Do at MLB Trade Deadline to Fuel World Series Push?
What Will Red Sox Do at MLB Trade Deadline to Fuel World Series Push? originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Boston Red Sox are the hottest team and baseball heading into the All-Star break, and have put themselves in a buyer's position for the MLB trade deadline at the end of the month. Advertisement That leaves one question. What exactly do the Red Sox need to add to put themselves in a position to make a run at the postseason and potentially a World Series? A question nobody thought we'd be asking a month ago after Boston traded away Rafael Devers. However, now the Red Sox have plenty of money to work with for the future and sit just three games back in their division with a 53-45 record. The Red Sox's main needs heading toward the deadline have been bullpen help and first base, with starting pitching taking a back seat. However, after rookie pitcher Hunter Dobbins went down with a reported torn ACL earlier this week, starting pitching has become a stronger need for Boston. Advertisement 'What they need is a No. 2 starter and bullpen help … After saving $255 million in the (Rafael) Devers trade, they need not engage in buy-sell scenarios," Ken Rosenthal said (h/t "They should be buyers, period." As for the approach for each of the needs, Sean McAdam believes the Red Sox should look for starters and relievers who have multiple years of control remaining to build for the future. But, at first base, Boston could look for a rental as Triston Casas is out for the season but will be ready for 2026 and beyond. 'Triston Casas has a long recovery road ahead of him, but could still be the first baseman of the future as soon as Opening Day 2026. That would make Arizona's Josh Naylor, who will be a free agent at the end of the year, a logical target if — and that's a big 'if' – the Diamondbacks decide to sell," McAdam wrote (h/t Other possibilities could include Baltimore's Ryan O'Hearn and Cleveland's Carlos Santana, each also in their walk year." As for the pitching side, the Red Sox will join a crowded field of starting pitching buyers, and there are not a lot of options with multiple years left. The two names that come to mind are Diamondbacks' pitchers Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, who may not even be available depending on how the Diamondbacks perform coming out of the All-Star break. Advertisement Dec 9, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow speaks with the media at the Hilton Anatole during the 2024 MLB Winter Meetings. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn ImagesJerome Miron-Imagn Images 'If the Diamondbacks sell, they are unlikely to trade both Gallen and Kelly, according to sources briefed on their plans,' Rosenthal reported. "If they subtract both Gallen and Kelly, they might not have enough young pitching to get through the season." Then, to the bullpen for late-inning relief, McAdams named a couple of closer options the Red Sox could target to fill their eighth-inning role ahead of Aroldis Chapman. 'As for bullpen help, relievers are expected to flood the market. But finding what the Red Sox need — a trustworthy high-leverage reliever to handle the eighth inning — will not be easy,' McAdam wrote. 'It's possible the Sox could acquire a closer like Ryan Helsley or Pittsburgh's David Bednar and utilize him in the eighth." Advertisement The Red Sox have already made one blockbuster trade this season, and expect there to be many more trades as we approach the July 31 deadline. However, this time the Red Sox should be on the buying end. Related: Former Red Sox Fan Favorite Manager Reaches Incredible Career Milestone This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Craig Breslow break silence on Red Sox's trade deadline plans
The Boston Red Sox are five games above .500 entering play on Friday and would be in the postseason if the season ended today. However, they still have needs to address. Red Sox starters have a 4.13 ERA this season, and the team is without Triston Casas for the rest of the year. First base and the starting rotation look like clear needs, but Craig Breslow thinks first base might not be as big a hole as some fans think. Advertisement "Some of that (your needs) often depends on what moment in time you ask the question," he said, per MassLive's Chris Cotillo. "I think if we're going to boost the rotation, trying to find impact starting pitching, not just, starting pitching that can take a spot in the rotation. We do feel really good about the depth that we have. At one point, we would have said, 'Our first baseman is out for the year.' But then you look at what (Abraham) Toro and Romy (Gonzalez) have been able to do platooning over there and that's the equivalent of a really good first baseman. We'll be open-minded but based on the performance we're getting right now, I don't think it's a massive, glaring hole." Unlike most buyers, the Red Sox potentially have an All-Star to trade away. The Red Sox outfield has been a hot topic all season. Roman Anthony, Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela are all capable of playing every day, but are having to share three outfield spots. Anthony is not going to be traded, and Rafaela has already signed an extension. Between Duran and Abreu, the former is older and has less club control. Duran was an All-Star last year, and his numbers have declined, but he would still be an upgrade for some outfield-needy teams. However, Breslow did not seem eager to trade any of his outfielders. Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp "When you have four guys that are capable of playing every night in three outfield spots, it just means that you've got a weapon on your bench," Breslow said per Cotillo. "It's an opportunity to keep guys fresh and shift and cycle through getting guys in and getting guys rest. Alex (Cora) manages games very aggressively and finds opportunities to pinch-hit and find great matchups. I've said this every time I've been asked: There's no such thing as having too many good players. That's not actually a problem." Advertisement The Red Sox are going to mix Rafaela in at second base after Bregman's return led to David Hamilton being optioned. Marcelo Mayer still figures to see a majority of the time at second base. Breslow seems more focused on adding pitching and mentioned specifically how adding pitching could boost their bullpen by allowing some current starters to serve in long relief roles. Duran could be included in a deal to land an elite starter with some club control. "You can never have too much pitching," Breslow said per Cotillo. "Some of this is, as guys get healthy, talking about Tanner and (Hunter) Dobbins and (Richard) Fitts and (Kyle) Harrison, and how do we figure out who we want to keep built out as starting pitching depth and who we think might be a weapon in a multi-inning role out of the 'pen." More MLB: Yankees make Anthony Volpe decision following DJ LeMahieu release
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB Insider Predicts Red Sox as Landing Spot for Mets' Pete Alonso in Free Agency
MLB Insider Predicts Red Sox as Landing Spot for Mets' Pete Alonso in Free Agency originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Boston Red Sox are in the market for a new first baseman following the Triston Casas injury. But the front office could also look to find a long-term replacement for Casas. Advertisement Jon Heyman of The New York Post had a target for the Red Sox to go after in free agency after the 2026 season. Heyman predicted the Red Sox would target New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso. "Could Boston be a landing spot for Pete Alonso?" Heyman wrote. "Even before Triston Casas was injured, the Red Sox didn't seem solid on Casas. They will need to replace Rafael Devers' bat." The Red Sox have a clear need at first base. Even when Casas is back healthy, Boston could still look for a first baseman. Alonso might be the best option out there, and the Red Sox could land a new first baseman who'd provide a nice replacement for Devers offensively. "Alonso, whose wife is from Boston," Heyman writes, "Is practically a Devers duplicate offensively (.859 career OPS for Alonso to .856 for Devers) who embraces first base." Advertisement Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) looks down in the dugout during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Mio-Imagn Images There's already a connection for Alonso to come to Boston, and the fit makes a ton of sense. Boston needs a first baseman and a replacement offensively for Dever's firepower. Why not land both in one move? In Alonso's career, he has 244 home runs, 876 hits, and a .252 batting average in seven seasons of play. This year, he has a National League-leading 25 doubles, 18 home runs, 67 RBIs, and an impressive .909 OPS. Not only are they looking to replace Devers' offense, but they can improve on Casas with Alonso's addition. That'd open the door to a Casas trade or move to designated hitter. He's making $30 million this year, but will likely make a lot more in free agency. The Red Sox aren't paying Devers any money, so Alonso would fit within the team's budget a lot easier than it would've last offseason. Advertisement Alonso would be a perfect fit for Boston. He's an offensive weapon, would fill a major hole at first base, and has ties to the city already. Heyman's prediction would be an ideal scenario for Boston, as Alonso would be a perfect fit for the team. Related: Red Sox Veteran Begs Front Office Not to Trade Him at MLB Trade Deadline Related: Alex Bregman Gets New Update on Red Sox Future Amid Trade Rumors This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rafael Devers drops first base truth bomb after Red Sox's stunning trade to Giants
The post Rafael Devers drops first base truth bomb after Red Sox's stunning trade to Giants appeared first on ClutchPoints. There have been numerous reports and rumors claiming that the relationship between the Boston Red Sox and Rafael Devers went sour before the trade. The speculation about Devers not wanting to play first base became one of the biggest topics leading up to the deal. Now that the trade is complete, the new San Francisco Giants third baseman shares his real thoughts about switching positions in Boston. Advertisement The 28-year-old third baseman admitted that had the Red Sox asked him to move to first base at the beginning of spring training that he would have accepted it, according to Ian Browne of From the sounds of it, there was a tiny window of opportunity for Boston to avoid disgruntling Devers over the position change. 'I would say that I have put some good numbers over at Boston, and I think that I do feel that I have earned some respect,' said Rafael Devers. 'And if they would have asked me at the beginning of Spring Training, yes, I would have played [first base].' The reason why the Red Sox didn't ask Devers to play first base at the beginning of spring training is likely because Triston Casas was fully healthy at the time and was being deemed a breakout candidate for Boston. The franchise didn't ask Rafael Devers to change positions until after Casas fell to a season-ending knee injury. Regardless, the three-time All-Star no longer plays for the Red Sox and is now in the Giants' lineup. Rafael Devers is not playing first base either in San Francisco. He's remaining at third base, but is going to serve as the team's designated hitter more often than not. Overall, it appears Devers is in a situation he prefers. Advertisement Rafael Devers will play against the Red Sox for the first time since the trade, as the Giants begin a three-game series against Boston on Friday. Devers is slated to DH for San Francisco and bat third in the order for Friday's slate. Related: Rafael Devers shades Red Sox with savage happiness admission Related: Red Sox' Kristian Campbell sets record straight on Rafael Devers first base drama
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Red Sox' Kristian Campbell sets record straight on Rafael Devers first base drama
The post Red Sox' Kristian Campbell sets record straight on Rafael Devers first base drama appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Boston Red Sox promoted Kristian Campbell to their big-league club at the start of the season, with the belief that he was one of three rookie prospects who would take on key roles for a team that was hungry to get back to the playoffs. Advertisement After a promising start in March and April, Campbell went into a harsh slump. The second baseman got tied up by inside fastballs and could not make solid contact on breaking balls that were thrown low and away. As the weeks and months continued, Campbell appeared to be stuck in a major offensive funk. The team has sent him back to Triple-A Worcester where he will have a chance to work his way out of the slump and learn how to master the pitches that have been giving him trouble. Additionally, Campbell is going to start to play first base at the Triple-A level, something that would make him more valuable to the Red Sox if and when he earns a call up back to the Major League. It also gave Campbell a chance to address a story that developed in recent weeks. After Triston Casas suffered his ruptured patellar tendon, the Red Sox had been searching for a first base option. Campbell's name had come up and he practiced at the position, but the plan never came to fruition. Red Sox rumor regarding Campbell's position change As Campbell practiced and prepared for an opportunity to play first base, a story regarding Rafael Devers and his attitude started to emerge. Devers reportedly asked Campbell why he was practicing with a first baseman's glove. Advertisement Campbell said that never happened and it was only a rumor. 'First off, Raffy never came to me,' Campbell said. 'I never had a problem with him. He was always nice to me. He was always very kind to me and a good teammate. The Red Sox came to me to see if I would play first base. I said I would because it would make the team better.' Devers was not interested in playing first base for the Red Sox, and his reluctance to return to the field at either first base or third base was the source of a decision to trade the superstar to the San Francisco Giants last Sunday. Since arriving in San Francisco, Devers said he is willing to play the field for his new team. Devers and the Giants will host the Red Sox in a three-game series this weekend. Devers is expected to man the DH spot against his former team. Related: Rafael Devers shades Red Sox with savage happiness admission Related: Rafael Devers drops first base truth bomb after Red Sox's stunning trade to Giants
