It’s not exactly new news to report that the Boston Red Sox are shopping for a right-handed bat before the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
But the latest rumor linking chief baseball officer Craig Breslow to one of the most consistent hitters in the majors does qualify an important update.
“The most impactful infielder who could feasibly be traded is Arizona’s Ketel Marte, who was on the trade block this offseason but ultimately wasn’t moved,” the Boston Herald’s Mac Cerullo reports. “The second baseman is a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger who has topped 25 home runs in each of his last three seasons, and he was recently named National League Player of the Week. Marte is also a switch hitter and would immediately become Boston’s biggest power threat.”
The 32-year-old Marte is is hitting .262 this season with nine home runs a .771 OPS. He set career highs in 2024 with 36 home runs and 95 RBIs as he finished third in voting for the National League MVP.
According to Spotrac, Marte is in the middle of a six-year, $116.5 million contract which includes a player option for 2031.
But if Marte is too expensive, Cerullo says the Red Sox have other options to upgrade the offense.
“(Washington Nationals) All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams would probably be a long shot, but might (former Red Sox assistant general manager Paul) Toboni consider parting with Curtis Mead? The Nationals picked the 25-year-old up off the scrap heap after spring training and now Mead is quietly in the middle of a breakout year,” Cerullo writes.
Mead has already set career highs with eight home runs and 25 RBIs this year. He also owns a personal-best .851 OPS. Best part is he doesn’t even qualify for arbitration until 2028, per Spotrac.
As for wha’s behind door No. 3 for the Red Sox?
“Other notable infielders on non-contending teams who might be worth a look include Marlins second baseman Xavier Edwards, Angels shortstop Zach Neto and Giants utility man Casey Schmitt,” Cerullo adds. “And while he wouldn’t solve Boston’s power problem, Giants second baseman Luis Arraez is once again a contender for the batting title and would go a long way toward helping keep the line moving.”
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