Red Sox 'Spending More Time' Exploring Trade Market, Linked To Marlins Rising Star

Boston could be gearing up for another splash

Scott Neville | Jan 3, 2024

Red Sox 'Spending More Time' Exploring Trade Market, Linked To Marlins Rising Star /

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Boston Red Sox fans have been clamoring for the organization to acquire a bona fide ace after their second last-place finish in a row.

The two top starters in free agency are southpaws Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, either of whom would significantly upgrade the Red Sox's pitching staff.

While those additions are fun to dream about and still could happen, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow appears much more bullish on the trade market.

"The Boston Red Sox could use either left-hander after shipping Chris Sale to the Atlanta Braves, though they're presently spending more time exploring the trade market and could be active," ESPN's Jeff Passan wrote Wednesday.

Breslow has shown an early propensity for making trades and does not appear to be slowing down any time soon. Among the many options the Red Sox could explore is a rising star from the Miami Marlins.

"Miami, under new general manager Peter Bendix, is in listening mode on all of its players except wunderkind right-hander Eury Perez," Passon wrote. "(Jesús) Luzardo is almost certainly the most valuable among them, even more than NL batting champion Luis Arraez, and whether it's the Red Sox, (Baltimore) Orioles or either of the New York teams, Luzardo would look mighty good in their rotation for the next three seasons.

Luzardo posted a 3.58 ERA with a 208-to-55 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .239 batting average against and a 1.21 WHIP in 178 2/3 innings last season.

The 26-year-old southpaw projects similarly to Brayan Bello as the two could form a dynamic duo in Boston for years to come alongside veteran help.

The Red Sox's investment in Vaughn Grissom -- who is expected to become the club's primary second baseman next season -- could open up the doors for a trade of Boston's deep group of middle infield prospects.

Breslow reportedly also has interest in outfielder Teoscar Hernández, who is expected to sign relatively soon. Should the Red Sox land the slugger, that could put outfielders Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu or more likely Ceddanne Rafaela on the trade block as well.

If Breslow is going to make one more big splash in the trade market, Luzardo appears to be the most likely target.

More MLB: Red Sox Insider Predicts Boston Will Trade Star Hurler To Dodgers

Published Jan 3, 2024

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