Red Sox Star Mentioned As Possible Trade Target For Royals But Move May Be 'Too Expensive'

Could the Red Sox and Royals agree to terms on a deal involving a Boston star?

One member of the Boston Red Sox has found his name in trade rumors lately.

Red Sox All-Star closer Kenley Jansen was impressive in his first season with the club in 2023, but with Boston looking to cut salary, his name has popped up as a possible option to be traded.

Jansen is set to make $16 million in 2024 and some have speculated that Boston could look to trade him away to free up money for free agency and then move someone like Tanner Houck or Chris Martin into the closer role.

It's unclear what Boston will do, but one club that has been floated as a possibility -- although a trade is unlikely -- is the Kansas City Royals, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.

"The Royals have spent $105 million on six free agents this offseason, most notably right-handers Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha," Rosenthal said. "But they remain open to adding one more piece — a closer. With the free-agent market all but picked out, the Royals’ preference is to make a trade, according to a source briefed on their thinking. The problem? That market also is thin on possibilities.

"The (Milwaukee Brewers) seem unlikely to trade Devin Williams, the National League reliever of the year in 2020 and ’23. On the slim chance the (Cleveland Guardians) move (Emmanuel Clase), the major-league leader in saves the past two seasons, they probably would not send him to an AL Central rival. And the Red Sox’s Kenley Jansen, set to earn $16 million in 2024, is almost certainly too expensive for the Royals’ tastes."

Trade talks have seemed to cool down as of late, but a move still certainly is a possibility. Jansen's contract may be too expensive for the Royals but don't be surprised if another team swoops in and tries to get a deal done.

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