The Red Sox are expected to be buyers at the July 30 trade deadline, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re willing to ship off top prospects or take on an exorbitant amount of money.
Boston hasn’t indicated it is dead set against making a major splash, either, but for our purposes, it’s safe to say Craig Breslow will prioritize value.
The Nationals, according to The Washington Times, are willing to ship off some expiring contracts — specifically in the bullpen and outfield. Do they have anyone the Red Sox might be interested in?
You bet.
Lane Thomas
Thomas isn’t the name you might be familiar with in an outfield with Jesse Winker, but he fits the Red Sox’s needs more.
Washington chose not to sell high on Thomas’ breakout season in 2023 and has seen him stumble back to earth in 2024. Thomas is slashing .249/.317/.402 with eight home runs and 38 RBI, though he did miss time with injury. Boston likely wouldn’t mind adding his speed (22 stolen bases) and power (28 home runs in 2023) from the right side.
Dylan Floro
Floro is the kind of true journeyman reliever who gets moved at the deadline. He’s been pretty reliable at every stop, though, procuring a 3.28 ERA across 377 total appearances with the Nats, Minnesota Twins, Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Reds, Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays.
Is Boston next?
Floro has a 2.20 ERA in 2024, despite being tied for second in the majors in appearances with 47. The Red Sox could add him for around $1 million on an expiring contract. It’s a no-brainer move that multiple teams will be in on.
Trevor Williams
Williams is a gamble, as he’s currently dealing with an elbow injury that has kept him sidelined since May 30. He probably wouldn’t cost much of anything, though, and serves as a potential upgrade in the Josh Winckowski/Cooper Criswell role.
The Nats have used him as a starter, and though he rarely ever hits five innings, he has a dazzling 2.22 ERA in 11 starts and 56.2 innings of work. If you can add an arm for a relatively low price, there’s no reason not to.
