Are the Red Sox Buyers or Sellers?
- Zak Drapeau
- 12 minutes ago
- 5 min read
by Zak Drapeau
Sportz Nation - 5/20/2026
Buyers or Sellers?
As of writing this article on May 25th, the Red Sox are 22-30 with 60 games left until the Trade Deadline on August 3rd. They sit in the basement of the AL East but only 2.5 games behind the 3rd place Blue Jays.
Even after the notorious start that the Red Sox have gotten off to this season, there is still hope for a Playoff finish thanks to the lackadaisical American League this season. See even at 22-30, the Red Sox currently sit just 4 games behind the White Sox in the 2nd Wild Card spot.
So this begs the question, is it too late for the Red Sox to be competitive or is this season still just beginning?
Under new Manager Chad Tracy, the Red Sox have gone 12-13 and while that's a negative record, have actually looked better as a unit than under Alex Cora.
What Would They Buy?
- Christian Walker, 1B, Astros
Walker may be the most premier corner fielder on the upcoming market. As a DH, his bat would instantly be one of the best on the Red Sox especially if Roman Anthony continues to struggle or is still plagued with injuries.
With a .265 average and 14 home runs, Walker is the 2nd or 3rd best hitter on the Astros but with his $20 million/year contract set to expire after next season, Walker has been rumored to be on the market for a severely underwhelming Astros team that looks to be ready to endure a quick rebuild over the next 2 seasons.
- Antonio Senzatela, RHP, Rockies
I don't think it's likely that the Red Sox go after a relief pitcher but if they get a streak going, a consistent, 8th inning reliever could really help out their pen. The top candidates for the job currently are Greg Weissert, Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten and I wouldn't trust any of them in a jam in the playoffs.
Senzatela is one of the best relievers in baseball at the moment with a 1.13 ERA and .781 WHIP on the season. Used primarily as a multi-inning reliever, Senzatela is often cited as the Rockies Closer even though he often pitches the 7th and 8th or 8th and 9th.
- Third Baseman
I'm not ready to completely give up on Caleb Durbin as a prospect of the future but unless he makes a dramatic shift in the middle of the season he definitely doesn't belong in the starting lineup in 2026. So that begs the question, who would be a better fit?
A guy like Jake Burger from the Rangers could come in and be a power hitter with above average fielding the Sox sorely need.
Phillies' Alec Bohm has consistently been thrown out there as a guy on the market but is still a below average hitter this season even if he's been better than Durbin.
Finally, a guy like Nolan Gorman could be very interesting. Batting .222 with 25 RBIs, it's not clear if the Cardinals would let go of their 26-year old batter but if they choose to keep Arenado in the midst of a decent season, they could be willing to move Gorman for the right price.
What Would They Sell?
- Aroldis Chapman, LHP
Standing at 22-30, the Red Sox seem like they will be sellers at the market and if they are there are two names that are at the top of the list. The first being Aroldis Chapman who is either the 2nd or 3rd best Closer in the Majors this year. After a brilliant 2025, Chapman is even better and is a perfect 12-0 in Save Opportunities with a .85 WHIP and a .133 batting average against him.
Chapman will likely get a few calls for his services and even at 38 years old, would be worth a slew of prospects or even one good prospect somewhere around the Top-75 mark in the league, (hopefully a slugging infielder.)
- Jarren Duran, OF
The other likely trade piece is Durran and even though he's been one of the team Captains over the past 3 years it's time. Durran is in the middle of his worst season ever with a .193 average and a 76 OPS+, (100 being average.)
Durran would have garnered a lot better of a trade haul last deadline or in the offseason but should still get a few prospects in return. For perspective, the 29-year old extremely fast corner outfielder should receive close to the same trade haul as the 38-year old Closer Chapman.
- Sonny Gray, RHP
Gray is someone that has been added to my list of sell players very recently after his last 5 starts have been really good. On the last year of a 3-year, $75 million deal, Gray could be seen as a Playoff rental for a contender in the market for another Starter to add to their rotation.
If Gray continues to play lights out, he may help the Red Sox get to a place where their not sellers. However, if the Sox are anywhere below .500 by August 3rd, we should trade him for whatever he can get considering he'll be gone after September anyway.
- Gonzalez, Yoshida, Kiner-Falefa, Bello
While I don't know if any of these players will actually be moved at the deadline, this entry is just to show the other players I think Red Sox management will be willing to trade for the right price.
Romy Gonzalez is a good utility player but has kind of hit his ceiling with the Sox. With 2 years of arbitration left on his deal, now might be the best time to get a trade package for the 29-year old.
Masataka Yoshida is only under contract through 2027 and is 32 years old. His hot bat in the month of April has still carried over to May and his trade value likely won't be any higher than right now.
Kiner-Falefa is a utility player management brought in for a 1-year deal and could be traded for something I guess?
Brayan Bello is a name I just want to include because I just don't believe in his potential anymore. Once touted as "Mini Pedro", Bello has shown deficiencies in going past the 4th inning getting strikeouts and giv9ing up extra base hits. Not to mention his ERA regressing to a 6.43 this season. He still can be a good player in the league but I believe it would be best for both sides to move on and give him a fresh start elsewhere while still getting a pretty decent package for the 27-year old.
He has 3 years and $34 million left on his deal after this season
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