The Red Sox got an early start on deadline week, and that alone has the fan base looking for what comes next.
After adding infielder Curtis Mead from the Washington Nationals on Saturday, Boston still has room to keep moving in a wide-open American League. More deals are expected, and the question now is simple: what should the rest of the haul look like?
One obvious target is power. Mead arrived with 17 home runs, but the Red Sox still need more thump, which is why a run at Goodman makes so much sense.
He has the third-most home runs in baseball, and while he is not a great defensive catcher, he is probably better behind the plate than Connor Wong. If Boston has to pay a premium, the bat makes it worth it.
It would also give the Red Sox their best catching offense since Carlton Fisk.
Luke Weaver belongs in the conversation too. Once it became clear Boston wasn’t going to sell and move Aroldis Chapman, Weaver moved near the top of the list of the best relievers available.
He would fit in Boston not just for this season, but for next year as well, since his contract includes a $12.5 million salary in 2025. His 1.93 ERA and 0.88 WHIP put him among the best setup men in the game, and the Red Sox have never been shy about adding former New York Yankees.
There’s also a case for Holmes, especially now that Connelly Early is gone. A deal for both Mets arms would not come cheap, but the idea has real appeal.
Holmes could give Boston another starting option, and if the postseason calls for it, he could slide into the bullpen. That kind of flexibility is exactly what managers want.
If injuries hit the rotation, a move like that could look even better. If they don’t, Weaver and Holmes would still give the Red Sox a much sturdier right-handed relief group behind Garrett Whitlock.
In Other News...
Red Sox May Have To Sacrifice A Familiar Name For Upgrade
The Red Sox are still looking hard at shortstop as the trade deadline approaches, and that search has naturally led to some familiar names and some expensive possibilities. Boston has been connected to Zach Neto, CJ Abrams, Jeremy Pea and Francisco Lindor as it weighs whether a move at the position could sharpen the roster for the stretch run, even if the path to doing so is not simple.
Trevor Story is part of the conversation because of both his place on the depth chart and the financial reality attached to him, since moving him would not be easy without Boston taking on salary. The clubs roster and payroll considerations could end up shaping the decision as much as the baseball fit, which is why the shortstop picture remains one of the more intriguing unresolved questions heading into the deadline. [Read more 🡒]
Red Sox Are Circling A Shortstop Move Fans Saw Coming
The shortstop market has been thin enough that every plausible name gets a hard look, and Boston has reportedly done more than just monitor the board. The Red Sox have inquired about Miami infielder Otto Lopez, a player who fits the kind of upgrade they could use as they try to patch an infield that has not offered enough offense.
Lopezs appeal is obvious beyond the fit. He is having a strong season, he remains under club control through 2029, and any team interested in prying him loose would likely have to pay a steep price. For Boston, that makes the pursuit both understandable and complicated, especially if the Marlins decide they are willing to listen. [Read more 🡒]
Former Red Sox Fan Favorite With Awesome Nickname Gets Another Shot
Jhostynxon Garcia is getting another look in the majors after the Pirates brought him up and put him in the lineup against the Diamondbacks. The former Red Sox outfielder has spent most of the season at Triple-A Indianapolis, where he put together a solid enough run to keep himself in the conversation, and he had already logged a brief big league stint earlier this year before getting this latest opportunity.
For Boston, Garcias path is a reminder of how quickly a familiar face can become part of a different organizations plans. He has already shown he can handle some major league pitching in limited action, and now he gets a chance to see if he can turn that into something more meaningful with Pittsburgh, with a familiar Red Sox connection waiting on the other side of the matchup. [Read more 🡒]