A few MLB media members have linked the Red Sox and the Blue Jays as potential trade partners with the July 30 deadline approaching.
Boston needs another starter and a right-handed bat, so players like Yusei Kikuchi and old friend Justin Turner potentially could appeal to Craig Breslow and company. But what if the Red Sox worked with their division rival to spin a legitimate blockbuster?
There’s been speculation that Toronto could move Bo Bichette before the deadline, with USA Today’s Bob Nightengale on Sunday reporting the star shortstop would “welcome a trade.” A deal involving Bichette at some point over the next week probably isn’t very likely, but if the Jays do shop the 26-year-old, The Athletic’s Tim Britton and Aaron Gleeman believe Boston is a potential landing spot.
Bichette would not be a rental for the Red Sox or any other interested team, as he’s under contract through the 2025 season. However, if a club wants to keep the two-time All-Star beyond the next campaign-plus, it probably will need to pay top dollar.
As for Boston specifically, it might not be as invested in the shortstop market as other teams. Trevor Story still has plenty of term on his contract and top prospect Marcelo Mayer is rapidly building a case for a promotion to the big leagues. The versatile Ceddanne Rafaela also has proven to be a very capable shortstop.
So, it’s fair to say it would be a stunner if Bichette ends up in a Red Sox uniform. But crazier things have happened, and we don’t know for sure what Breslow has under his sleeve.
