Sox Trade Target: Matt Wieters?

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Orioles are reportedly willing to deal 2-time All Star catcher, Matt Wieters. With the hole that has been vacated by Jarrod Saltalamacchia, could the Sox be in play?

Sep 28, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters (32) hits a one-run rbi single in the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles defeated the Red Sox 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

Wieters is coming off a down year and is due to hit free agency after the 2015 season. However, he is advised by Scott Boras and is therefore unlikely to sign an extension before testing the waters.Wieters had a solid, yet subpar year at .235/.287/.417 with 22 home runs after two straight seasons in which he received All Star nods. The Orioles are reportedly in the market for another catcher as it is, so they could move Wieters and signing a starting guy, like Saltalamacchia or Carlos Ruiz to fill his shoes.

The Red Sox, in need of a starter, could turn to Baltimore to pick up the 27-year-old switch hitter. The Orioles would likely demand significantly more from a division rival for Wieters, though Boston has one of the top farm systems in the game, so they probably have the ability to meet the Orioles demands. Selling low on one of the Game’s top catchers probably isn’t advisable, but with Boras in the fold, the O’s don’t have tons of leverage and would be wise to make a move.

The Red Sox could probably entice the Orioles with a package that started with Felix Doubront. Following the lefty, the Sox could offer Ryan Lavarnway, whose ship has seemingly sailed with Boston, as well as two of Michael Almanzar, Keith Couch and/or Chris Hernandez, all of whom are rule V draft eligible and may not have a place on Boston’s 40-man roster ahead of the draft.