The 2026 Boston Red Sox have fallen far behind expectations. From the league’s worst offense to the firing of manager Alex Cora, there’s no question that more moves have to be made. Despite the dismal start, the Red Sox sit just two games back of the last wild card spot. Sitting at 22-27, it is not too late for the Red Sox to make a run. The question is, come the trade deadline on August 3rd, will the Red Sox be buyers or sellers? Today, we cover multiple Red Sox mock trades they could make as buyers or as sellers.
If the Red Sox Are Buyers
Red Sox ownership has been facing a lot of backlash from fans since the beginning of the year. They know this team is underperforming, which could lead Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow to make key moves to try to catapult the Red Sox into the postseason. The Red Sox farm system ranks 13th in baseball, which could help the team acquire valuable assets for a deep postseason run.
Red Sox Acquire: Nolan Arenado
Diamondbacks Acquire: Caleb Durbin, Jake Bennett, and Mikey Romero
The Red Sox have been linked to third baseman Nolan Arenado for quite some time. Before his trade to the Diamondbacks in January, Arenado to the Red Sox was the trade being floated around. The team ultimately decided to make a move for Brewers infielder Caleb Durbin after Arenado was taken off the table.
Arenado has been stellar so far this season in Arizona. At the plate, Arenado is batting .273 with a .349 on-base percentage and seven home runs. If the Red Sox were interested in him after his 2025 season, which was the worst of his 14-year career, there is no question they will be interested in him now.
Durbin has been abysmal at the plate for Boston this season, batting .168 with a .247 on-base percentage and just one home run in 45 games played. It is hard to imagine the Red Sox making the playoffs with him in the lineup at third base. Despite the elite defensive numbers from Durbin, Arenado, and his 10 Gold Glove awards are no slouch at the hot corner as well.
The Diamondbacks would be getting Durbin back in this trade. Despite the rocky offensive numbers, Durbin is still among the league’s best defensively at third base and has shown he can have success in the Major Leagues after finishing in the top three in rookie of the year voting in 2025 with the Brewers.
Jake Bennett and Mikey Romero are two prospects going back to Arizona in this trade as well. Boston’s sixth-ranked prospect, Bennett, is a Major League-ready arm who has already dipped his toes in the big leagues this season and is currently posting a 1.84 ERA in Triple-A this season. The Diamondbacks have needed pitching for quite some time now. Romero, a former first-round pick, is Boston’s 11th-ranked prospect and is expected to make his Big League debut as well this year.
Red Sox Acquire: CJ Abrams
Nationals Acquire: Marcelo Mayer, Brayan Bello, and Kyson Witherspoon
Now I know what some Red Sox fans will say. The Red Sox are giving up quite the haul, but let’s get into the numbers of CJ Abrams. This season, the middle infielder is hitting .297 with an impressive .391 on-base percentage and 10 home runs. He is the bat that Boston needs in the middle of their order.
Abrams is a consistent 20 home run, 30 stolen base guy who would instantly become a star in Boston. It will not be cheap to acquire the young star, who is just 25 years old and under team control through 2028, but if the Red Sox want to contend now and for years to come, Abrams is a proven talent that can get them to the postseason.
In this deal, the Nationals acquire highly touted infielder Marcelo Mayer, who, despite a slow start to the season, still has the potential to become a staple in any big league lineup at just 23 years old. Mayer is under team control through the 2031 season.
Brayan Bello also goes back to Washington in this deal. Bello could use the change of scenery after an atrocious start to this season. But he is a proven big league arm who is on a cost-effective team-friendly deal through the 2031 season.
Kyson Witherspoon was the 15th overall pick in the 2025 MLB draft. The first rounder has ace potential, with a fastball that can reach 100 mph and a low-90s cutter to go with it. When drafted, Witherspoon was expected to be one of the most Major League-ready arms in the entire draft, and could find his way to the Big Leagues within the next season or two. He is the Red Sox’s number three overall prospect and the 86th overall prospect in all of baseball.
Red Sox Acquire: Rafael Devers (Giants Retain 50% Salary)
Giants Acquire: Justin Gonzalez, Henry Godbout, Marcus Phillips, and Johan Oviedo
Alright, let’s have some fun here. This deal sends Rafael Devers back to Boston one year after he was traded to the Giants in a deal that shocked the baseball world. It was a clear salary dump for the Red Sox, and in this move, Boston gets Devers back at half the cost of his contract.
It has been reported that the San Francisco Giants want to shed some payroll, and Devers could become a victim of that salary dump, just like he was a year ago. Despite a slow start at the plate this season, Devers has been much better throughout the recent weeks. With management now gone and new faces in the clubhouse, Devers could be the power bat the Red Sox have been looking for since they traded him away.
This deal sends prospects Justin Gonzalez, Henry Godbout, and Marcus Phillips to the Giants, along with pitcher Johan Oviedo, who was acquired this last offseason from the Pirates. While some fans may be hesitant to send the Red Sox’s fourth-ranked prospect, Justin Gonzalez, away in a deal, it could be what’s needed for the Giants to take on half of Devers $31.35M annual salary. With the Red Sox pitching rotation already having plenty of depth, Oviedo becomes expendable here.
If the Red Sox Are Sellers
The Red Sox being sellers is a sight Red Sox fans do not want to see, but it is a real possibility as the team sits five games under .500. We have heard many trade rumors throughout this last offseason, some being very controversial to Red Sox nation. It might be time to start looking at the future rather than the present. Here are some trades that do just that.
Red Sox Acquire: Esmerlyn Valdez
Pirates Acquire: Aroldis Chapman
It’s a one-for-one swap here as the Red Sox send one of the league’s best closers in exchange for the Pirates’ number nine-ranked prospect, Esmerlyn Valdez.
For the Red Sox, acquiring Valdez from the Pirates might be quite the treat. Recently called up to the Pirates’ big league roster, Valdez is known for elite power, hitting 26 home runs in the minor leagues last season, and already hitting 10 of them in Triple-A this year in just 46 games. Valdez could be the righty power bat of the future that the Red Sox have long been looking for.
The Pirates would be getting the 2025 MLB reliever of the year. Coming off an elite 2025 season, Aroldis Chapman has proven he still has it, posting a perfect 12 saves in 12 save attempts with an elite 0.51 ERA. There will be many teams interested in the lefty flame thrower, and the Red Sox will have plenty of packages to choose from.
Red Sox Acquire: Rainiel Rodriguez and Tanner Franklin
Cardinals Acquire: Jarren Duran and Justin Slaten
Here we go. The Jarren Duran trade rumors have seemed to be going on for a couple of years now. This could be the year it finally gets done, with the Red Sox making another deal with the St. Louis Cardinals, the same year they acquired Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras from them.
The Red Sox here find a way to salvage the tough start to the season from Jarren Duran, packaging him with reliever Justin Slaten to acquire the Cardinals’ number two and number 10-ranked prospect.
Rainiel Rodriguez is just 19 years old and is the top catching prospect in all of baseball, 25th overall. With 65 grade power, Rodriguez is known for his elite pop at the plate, slugging 20 home runs last season while walking nearly as many times as he struck out. He recently got promoted to Double-A and is well on his way to entering the big leagues in his early 20’s.
Tanner Franklin was the 72nd overall pick for the Cardinals in the 2025 MLB Draft. The 6’5 right-handed pitcher has an elite fastball that can touch 102 mph and has struck out 39 batters this season in just 27 innings of High A ball.
The Cardinals would be acquiring Duran, who is under club control through the 2028 season. Despite the slow start, we all know what the 2024 All-Star game MVP is capable of, posting a 9.0 WAR in 2024, followed by a 4.7 WAR season in 2025.
Slaten has proven to be a reliable bullpen arm, posting a 2.93 ERA in 2024 and allowing just four hits and zero runs in eight innings pitched this season.
The Cardinals have been quite the surprise this season after trading away several of their stars this offseason. Look for them to be buyers as they make a playoff push following their 28-21 start.
Red Sox Acquire: Pedro Ramirez
Cubs Acquire: Sonny Gray
The Red Sox make a move with the Chicago Cubs, trading from within their rotation to acquire the 85th overall prospect in all of baseball, Pedro Ramirez.
Ramirez is a switch-hitting infielder who can play both second base and third base, winning a minor league gold glove award at third base in 2025. Originally known for his elite defense, Ramirez has developed into a plus hitter, posting a .365 on-base percentage in his six minor league seasons. Ramirez also gets it done on the bases, stealing 28 bags in the 2025 season, proving he has the potential to be a true five-tool player
Gray goes to the Cubs in this deal. The Red Sox acquired Gray this offseason from the Cardinals, and he has been as advertised, posting a 2.93 ERA in eight starts this year. The Cubs could use some help in their rotation, and the veteran Gray could be their answer. As it sits today, the Cubs are 29-21 and are just 1.5 out of first place in the National League Central.
Main Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
