The trade deadline is moving ever closer in the MLB as the calendar flips to June. The Boston Red Sox find themselves in one of the most interesting deadline conversations of the 2026 season.
As of June 5, Boston finds itself nine games back of .500, 11 games back of first place and dead last in the American League East. Despite that, an extremely weak American League sees them only 3.5 games out of a Wild Card spot.
The league standings aren't even the most interesting part about the Sox deadline this year. The most intriguing thing is Craig Breslow only has one major hole to fill — a middle of the order bat, and the Boston Herald’s Mac Cerullo is suggesting a familiar name.
Between Caleb Durbin’s struggles and Trevor Story’s injury, the Red Sox seem to have an opening on the infield dirt again. Cerullo is proposing the Sox get back in touch with the Diamondbacks and call about Ketel Marte.
Craig Breslow should not stop calling the Diamondbacks to net Ketel Marte for Red Sox
The three-time All-Star was a target of Breslow's over the offseason, but talks stalled when the D-Backs GM, Mike Hazen, was adamant on a return that included Marcelo Mayer and either Connelly Early or Payton Tolle. Now that the season is underway, the Sox may be able to entice Arizona to move Marte with other pieces.
Ketel Marte mashes a two-run homer 🐍 pic.twitter.com/Uk0S7WESHR
— MLB (@MLB) June 2, 2026
The switch hitting second baseman had a slow start to his 2026 season. Through the first month, Marte hit just .233 with a .682 OPS. He turned the corner in May, hitting .295 with an .869 OPS. His turnaround was a big part of the reason the D-Backs went from middle of the pack in the NL at the end of April to in the Wild Card spots by the start of June.
It would still take a major package to pry Marte from Arizona, but luckily for Boston, they’ve had some breakout prospects that could help. It would be very unlikely that any of Mayer, Tolle, or Early would be available now with their roles cemented on the MLB squad. Boston could pivot to a package that includes Franklin Arias, a breakout middle infield prospect, and Anthony Eyanson, a breakout starting pitching prospect. While they may need to throw in a major league ready player to satisfy Hazen’s want for players who can help now, this type is a type of package Breslow might be more ok with.
Recent reporting by ESPN’s Buster Olney suggests the Red Sox are willing to add money to gain a bat. While Arizona is currently in the mix for the playoffs, they could be enticed to move off the remaining six years and $103.5 million. If Breslow does decide to buy, this is a player he should seriously pursue.
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