4 potential trade targets for the Red Sox ahead of Winter Meetings
Gleyber Torres
A Red Sox-Yankees blockbuster trade? While unheard of, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI, the two arch-rivals reportedly discussed a swap involving the Yankees' second baseman and the Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo as recently as last season.
Torres could provide a massive boost to the Red Sox offense at second base. In 2023, he showcased his offensive prowess with an impressive triple slash line of .273/.347/.453 and a 118 OPS+, establishing himself as one of the league's top offensive second basemen. However, despite Torres's offensive upside, his defensive metrics leave much to be desired. According to Baseball Savant, Gleyber posted -3 OAA (Outs Above Average) in 2023, landing him in the 17th percentile for second basemen—a statistic that might give pause to a Red Sox front office that has emphasized the need for defensive improvement.
While rumored, it may be difficult to see this trade come to fruition between the rivals as Jeff Passan of ESPN recently threw cold water on the deal calling the potential trade "nonsense" then further saying that trading Torres does not align with the Yankees offseason plans.
Corbin Burnes
No secret here: Boston's much-maligned starting rotation is in dire need of a significant boost this winter. Enter Corbin Burnes the Brewers ace brings both the star power and production necessary to steer Breslow's new rotation back on track.
Since his debut in 2018, few starters in baseball have been as consistently productive as Corbin Burnes. Finishing in the top 10 in Cy Young voting for the past four seasons and clinching the award in 2021, Burnes boasts an impressive track record. With a stellar 2.86 ERA and a 2.84 FIP over his last 622.1 innings pitched, he could emerge as the most coveted pitcher available this winter.
The Brewers won't be short on suitors vying for Burnes' services. The Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Giants, and several other teams are all on the hunt to bolster their rotation for the upcoming season, presenting a competitive market for a potential trade. Nevertheless, the Red Sox are poised to play a role in this market, as big players in the arms race for starters this winter.