Ex-Red Sox Outfielder Reportedly Being Discussed In Trade To Yankees

Boston could continue to see their former prospect in the AL East

Scott Neville | Nov 17, 2023

Ex-Red Sox Outfielder Reportedly Being Discussed In Trade To Yankees /

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Could a former Boston Red Sox prospect become part of the solution for the New York Yankees?

The Yankees are exploring all options to bolster the outfield, including one American League East foe who began his career as a rising star in the Red Sox's farm system before being a part of a franchise-altering trade.

"The Yankees, seeking to add both a center fielder and left fielder, have engaged the (Tampa Bay) Rays in multiple conversations this offseason about Manuel Margot, according to sources briefed on the talks but not authorized to speak publicly," The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal wrote Thursday. "The Rays are speaking to other teams about Margot as well."

The 29-year-old hit .264 with 26 extra-base hits including four home runs, 38 RBIs and a .686 OPS (91 OPS+, matching his career mark) in 99 games in 2023.

The Yankees are looking for a right-handed bat but do not seem to be limited to just one addition, so it doesn't sound like that would be a deal breaker. Margot's claim to fame is his career 41 defensive runs saved and 57 outs above average, though his play over the last two seasons have not been nearly as stellar.

Margot's career took a twist when the Red Sox sent him to the San Diego Padres in a package for closer Craig Kimbrel prior to the 2016 season, setting up the eventual 2018 World Series run.

He's since found his way back to the American League East with the Tampa Bay Rays and could find himself on his third team in the division this offseason.

Margot has hit .312 with a .753 OPS in 45 games against the Red Sox. It would benefit Boston to see the center fielder head elsewhere.

More MLB: Ex-Red Sox Slugger 'Would Certainly Like To Come Back' To Boston

Published Nov 17, 2023

SCOTT NEVILLE

Scott Neville covers the Boston Red Sox for Sports Illustrated's new page "Inside The Red Sox." Before starting "Inside The Red Sox", Neville attended Merrimack College, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media with a minor in Marketing. Neville spent all four years with Merrimack's radio station WMCK, where he grew as a radio/podcast host and producer. His propensity for being in front of a microphone eventually expanded to film, where he produced multiple short films alongside his then-roommate and current co-worker Stephen Mottram. On a journey that began as a way to receive easy credits via film classes, he received a call from "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" star Charlie Day. Day advised him to make a feature-length film, which he completed his senior year. While writing the film, Neville completed an internship for United Way as part of their NFL Partnership Program. Neville ran the blog for a team of interns and hosted an internet show called "United Way's NFL Partnership Series" where he interviewed NFL alumni. After college Neville wrote for SB Nation's "Over The Monster," a Red Sox sister site of the flagship brand. His work would eventually lead him to a job as a content producer with NESN, where he would cover all sports. After developing as a writer with the top regional network in the world, he was given the opportunity to join the Sports Illustrated Media Group in his current endeavor as the publisher of "Inside The Red Sox." The successful launch and quick rise of "Inside The Red Sox" led to Neville joining the Baseball Essential ownership group, a national baseball site under SIMG. Follow him on Twitter: @ScottNeville46 Email: nevilles@merrimack.edu