The Red Sox may not need to look far to find a winter trade partner that fits what they want to do on the mound.
With Boston expected to have pitching needs and Sonny Gray likely headed for free agency, the front office has some decisions to make. The free-agent class doesn’t offer much certainty beyond Tarik Skubal, which is why the trade market matters so much here. And on that front, Seattle stands out.
The Mariners have two starting pitchers who could draw real interest, and the idea of Boston getting involved makes plenty of sense. George Kirby and Emerson Hancock are both names to watch, even if moving either one would be a tough call for Seattle. The Mariners have their own offensive needs, though, and that could open the door to a deal if the return is right.
Whether Seattle wants prospects or big league help, the Red Sox have ways to get in the conversation. As Brian Burrows wrote, “The Red Sox built their team on pitching and defense, and they shouldn't go away from that plan in 2027 just because they need to upgrade the offense.
The Seattle Mariners have multiple starting pitchers with at least two years of team control that they are willing to listen on. Acquiring one to add to Garrett Crochet, Payton Tolle, and Ranger Suarez would be one of the best rotations in baseball.
“The Mariners reportedly want to use one of their pitchers to find an impact bat for their lineup. Breslow could kill two birds with one stone by using one of the outfielders to give them just that. The Red Sox can't go into 2027 with the amount of uncertainty in the bottom two of the rotation they currently have, and getting one of the Mariners' starters would be an excellent long-term fix to that situation,” Brian Burrows wrote.
That’s the real appeal for Boston: a chance to solve more than one problem at once. If Seattle is looking for an immediate offensive upgrade, the Red Sox have multiple paths they could explore. Even if the Mariners prefer prospects, Boston has pieces in its system that could help both now and later.
Kirby is the more intriguing of the two from Boston’s perspective. He’s coming off a rough year by his standards, finishing with a 4.33 ERA.
But the upside is still obvious. If he gets back to the level he showed in 2023 and 2024, he could fit right into a Red Sox rotation that already includes Garrett Crochet, Payton Tolle, and Ranger Suarez.
At 28, he still has time to settle back into elite form.
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