Braves Targeting Red Sox Outfielder In Major Offseason Trade According To Insider

Could Boston actually trade one of its outfielders this offseason?

It sounds like the Boston Red Sox could end up trading one of their veterans this offseason.

Boston is going to be busy this offseason. The Red Sox already have been linked to multiple top-tier starters although they haven't been able to complete a deal at this time. Boston has new chief baseball officer Craig Breslow leading the club and he will want to put his mark on the club.

The Red Sox player with the most question marks this offseason certainly is outfielder Alex Verdugo. He was acquired by Boston ahead of the 2020 campaign and he's been with the team ever since. At one point he looked like a piece of Boston's core for the future but it seems more likely now that he may be traded. If so, one team that could be interested is the Atlanta Braves, according to The Athletic's Jim Bowden.

"Trade targets: Corbin Burnes, Shane Bieber, Tyler Glasnow, Anthony Santander, Max Kepler, and Alex Verdugo," Bowden said. "The Braves were the best team in baseball during the regular season and can mostly 'run it back' next year, besides the rotation and left field. They have focused on adding a significant starting pitcher, bullpen depth, and left-field upgrades since the offseason started. The Braves have cleared roster space and added payroll flexibility, and it's expected they'll make a huge splash sooner rather than later." 

If the Red Sox were to trade Verdugo this offseason, it certainly would be for starting pitching help. Boston has a surplus of outfielders and Verdugo will be a free agent next year. He may not be in the Red Sox's long-term plans but it wouldn't make sense to trade him away unless it was for pitching. There's sure to be interest in him and at this point, a move could be imminent.

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