The Boston Red Sox and their fans are banking on the team making the playoffs this season for the first time in three years.
In 2024, Craig Breslow's Red Sox were buyers at the trade deadline, but their acquisitions didn't work out as planned. Catcher Danny Jansen wasn't the right-handed offensive boost Boston needed him to be and its two relief additions fell injured soon after their arrivals. The Sox's bullpen crumbled in the second half of the season, and they finished just three games out of a Wild Card spot.
The Alex Bregman signing and the Garrett Crochet trade have created an all-or-nothing feeling around the Red Sox in 2025. They've held their own near the top of the American League East, alongside the Yankees, in the first few weeks of the campaign, and as Boston's bats start to warm up and more top prospects reach the big leagues, it'll only get better.
Here are three way-too-early potential trade deadline targets for the Red Sox if they're in the position to buy to make a playoff run. Since the season is so young, this list is subject to change.
3 way-too-early trade deadline targets for the Red Sox if they're buyers in July
Andrew Heaney
It's only a month into the season, but it doesn't look like baseball fans will see Paul Skenes and the Pirates in the playoffs anytime soon. Since they seem primed to be sellers come July, Andrew Heaney could be an easy deadline target for Boston, which has made a fair few trades with the Pirates in recent years.
Heaney has pitched to a 2.50 ERA with 31 strikeouts and nine walks over 36 innings with Pittsburgh so far. He's a veteran with a bit of playoff experience and won a World Series as a member of the Texas Rangers' rotation in 2023. He's also an impending free agent, so the Sox may not have to give up too much to get him into their rotation.
Chris Martin
The Red Sox's bullpen is already pretty heavy on veteran arms, but Chris Martin has shown no signs of age in his three recent seasons. Martin was a fixture of Boston's 'pen in 2023-24, and he's off to a great start with the Rangers (who could very well end up as playoff contenders, but are not in the picture as of this writing.)
Martin has posted a 2.03 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 13.1 innings. The veteran shared before the season that this could be his final year in the big leagues, and he'd no doubt like to finish his career strong with a playoff team.
Zach Eflin
The Orioles may not be in the basement of the AL East all season, but they haven't looked great in the early going. Their rotation, in particular, has been in shambles due to injuries and rough performances, but Zach Eflin, a former Ray and impending free agent, has been solid.
Eflin has clocked a 3.00 ERA with eight strikeouts and one walk in 18 innings so far. The righty has been on the injured list with a lat strain since April 9, but he's begun throwing and seems to be trending in the right direction. Eflin is another impending free agent and could be a cheap trade if the Sox need pitching depth down the stretch.