The Red Sox have made a real push over the last stretch, winning 11 of their games since June 25 and climbing out of the basement conversation in the American League. That surge has them in Wild Card contention, and if they keep it going into the second half, Boston could shift from seller to buyer at the trade deadline.
The need is obvious: the Red Sox want a right-handed bat with some pop. They never added the power they knew they needed over the offseason, and the results have been brutal. Boston’s 80 home runs in 89 games is the league’s worst mark.
That kind of upgrade would likely have to come through the infield. The outfield remains crowded even with Roman Anthony injured, and the club still hasn’t replaced the leadership it lost when Alex Bregman went to the Chicago Cubs. That’s part of why Francisco Lindor has been floated as a possible target for Boston.
The rumors picked up again after New York sports radio legend Mike Francesa said the Mets organization is going to "try very, very hard to trade Lindor." Lindor’s relationship with Juan Soto has fueled questions about his fit in Queens, which has pushed him into the trade conversation.
Still, that chatter has not been backed up by the usual reporting. Insiders and beat writers have not confirmed that the Mets are shopping him, and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic said on the "Foul Territory" podcast that he hasn’t heard any rumors about Lindor being on the trade block.
On paper, Lindor checks a lot of boxes for Boston. He’s a switch-hitter, a polished infielder and a veteran with playoff experience. He’s batting just .209/.295/.353 in 36 games this season after missing two months with a calf strain, but across his six seasons with the Mets he’s hit .258/.336/.457.
He also brings the kind of presence that could matter in a Boston infield. He would fill the Bregman void and could pass along something to Caleb Durbin and Marcelo Mayer about being a complete big league infielder.
But the fit falls apart fast once the contract enters the picture. Lindor signed a 10-year, $341 million extension in 2021 that runs through 2031. He’s already 32, and the Red Sox are not eager to take on a deal that stretches to age 37 and beyond, especially with deferred money attached.
There is one path that could make the idea more realistic: if the Mets absorbed some of Lindor’s money and took on one of Boston’s larger contracts, such as Trevor Story’s or Masataka Yoshida’s. In that scenario, a deal could make more sense.
Even then, Lindor would be a strong fit on the field and in the clubhouse. But given Boston’s priorities, his age and contract make him a poor match for the Red Sox.
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Red Sox Face Rare Roster Squeeze In Crucial Sweep Chance
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The lineup squeeze adds even more weight to a pitching assignment that already carries plenty of attention. Rookie left-hander Eduardo Rivera is set to take the ball after a scoreless relief appearance earlier this season, and his Triple-A work has given Boston a reason to trust him in a spot where the Red Sox need innings and efficiency to keep the sweep chance alive. [Read more 🡒]