Red Sox Reportedly One Of Favorites To Land Padres Star Juan Soto In Blockbuster

Boston reportedly could land one of the best sluggers in baseball this offseason

The Boston Red Sox are in an intriguing spot, to say the least. 

Boston won just 78 games in each of the last two seasons but that doesn't mean the club doesn't have a bright future. The Red Sox even looked like a playoff team at points in 2023 but ran out of gas after the 2023 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline. Inconsistent play out of the starting rotation certainly is one of the biggest reasons for the club's struggles down the stretch, but Boston made positive strides this season. 

The Red Sox will be one of the most active teams this offseason. Boston isn't too far away from the postseason and will be adding a new baseball operations leader after firing former chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom. While free agency will be the Red Sox's most likely outlet to add to the club, the club could also be busy in the trade market. Pitching has gotten the most headlines, but the Red Sox could make a few additions on the offensive side, as well. Boston even is considered one of the five most likely teams to land San Diego Padres star Juan Soto, according to The Athletic's Jim Bowden. 

"The Red Sox need to make a splash this offseason and a Soto trade would certainly qualify," Bowden said. "It also would take some of the pressure off the young players they're developing, including Triston Casas, Jarren Duran, and Ceddanne Rafaela. A potential Red Sox package could start with Alex Verdugo, who would immediately become the Padres' starting left fielder. Add in starting pitcher Tanner Houck (who would go right into the Padres' rotation) and a couple of good prospects such as Miguel Bleis and right-handed Luis Perales."

Bowden is a veteran Major League Baseball insider and listed the Red Sox as the second most likely destination for Soto if he were to be dealt this offseason. A move is growing more and more likely and this isn't the first time the young star has been linked to Boston. Soto is just 24 years old and if he were to sign an extension in Boston would form a fearsome duo with Rafael Devers for years to come. 

He already is a three-time All-Star and one of the best hitters in baseball coming off a season in which he clubbed 35 home runs and drove in 109 runs while leading baseball with 132 walks Boston needs to make a major move and acquiring someone like Soto would be the perfect place to start. 

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