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Boston Red Sox Prospects: Who should be “untouchable” in trades?

By Hunter Noll

FT. MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 21: Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom of the Boston Red Sox addresses the media during a press conference during a spring training team workout on February 21, 2021 at jetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
FT. MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 21: Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom of the Boston Red Sox addresses the media during a press conference during a spring training team workout on February 21, 2021 at jetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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Red Sox SS Marcelo Mayer
BOSTON, MA – JULY 22: Boston Red Sox 2021 first round draft pick Marcelo Mayer poses for a portrait as he is signed with the club on July 22, 2021 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

Red Sox top-ranked prospect, Marcelo Mayer (shortstop)

This one doesn’t need explaining. If the Red Sox are trading Marcelo Mayer I’m expecting it to be in a package for someone like Juan Soto.

Mayer was their first-round pick in 2021 and considered the best prospect in that class. He’s already dominating in Low-A and has all the tools to be a well-rounded superstar.

In 17 games this season, the left-handed hitter is slashing .333/.386/.507 with 10 doubles and one home run. He’s driven in 13 runs and scored nine more, stealing four bases.

Mayer is seen as the shortstop of the future for the Red Sox. He’s already their top-ranked prospect and number 10 overall in the entire MLB. The 19-year-old has plus-plus hitting with plus-power. Great defensive potential and solid speed as well.

The contract situation with Xander Bogaerts makes it even harder for Boston to move Mayer. If they end up losing him, it would be pretty devastating. But having an elite prospect only a few years away would definitely soften that blow quite a bit.

And even if Bogaerts sticks around, Mayer likely won’t be in the Majors until 2024 at the earliest. At that time, Bogey will be on the other end of 30. He’s already seen as not the best defensive shortstop. That could be the time for them to move him somewhere else, or just have him as a full-time DH.

There will be a place for Mayer. He’s that good. Especially considering we’re still a few years away from his Major League debut and a lot could change on the Major League roster by then. This is the type of prospect you make room for.

Trading him away just seems like a bad move. You got insanely lucky when he fell to you in the draft. Why give it all away?

To be honest, this is one of the few that I think I’ll have no push-back on. It’s hard to see anyone really disagreeing with me on this point.

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