The Boston Red Sox have become notorious prospect huggers in recent years. Chaim Bloom's tenure as chief baseball officer from 2019-23 elevated the Red Sox's farm system to one of the best in the league entering 2025, and most of their top prospects near MLB readiness.
Boston spent multiple offseasons waiting for its young talent to reach Triple-A and the big leagues before spending money to be competitive. Now that time has come, and it hasn't been as easy as the Sox may have expected.
Juan Soto signed for a record of 15 years at $765 million, and Blake Snell's five-year, $182 million deal with the Dodgers raised the price for pitchers, too. After being out of the big market spending category for years, it may be hard for the Red Sox to re-emerge as an ideal destination for free agents — trades may be the most likely way for Boston to reinforce its lineup with top-tier pitching or bats.
They may have telegraphed that sentiment by making a blockbuster deal for White Sox ace Garrett Crochet, but there are other rumblings Red Sox fans need to sort through.
MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported that the Red Sox were "more willing to than was originally thought." Morosi specifically referenced the potential of Boston moving Mayer in a trade for Crochet before the deal became official.
"Based on what I've been hearing today, the Crochet trade is getting closer. It's now increasingly possible that he'll be moved [at the Winter Meetings]." - @jonmorosi pic.twitter.com/NcSgV2D1Az
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 9, 2024
But was it a smokescreen? Because Kyle Teel, who was reportedly deemed "untouchable" ended up being the member of the Big Four to be sent packing.
It was initially reported that Gold Glove-winning rookie Wilyer Abreu could headline a Crochet trade between the two Sox teams, but it's clear the White Sox preferred talent further away from the bigs.
Mayer was long considered Boston's No. 1 prospect, but outfielder Roman Anthony has overtaken that role in the organization. Mayer, a shortstop, is one of many middle infielders in the Red Sox's prospect pool, and he's fresh off his best season in their minor league system. However, he was still limited by an injury.
Mayer slashed .307/.370/.480 with a .850 OPS over 77 games for Double-A Portland in 2024. He was promoted to Triple-A alongside his fellow top prospects, Roman Anthony and Kyle Teel, in August, but never appeared due to a back injury. His season ended early, yet his 77 games played are the second-most in a single season in his career.
Based on Morosi's report, it sounds like the Red Sox could take advantage of a chance to sell somewhat high on Mayer. Boston has a shortstop on the roster for a few more years in Trevor Story — although the team has been unable to bank on him being healthy — and plenty of young middle infield talent in the farm system that could be ready by the time Story's contract ends.
Then again, maybe the Sox still prefer Mayer and leaked that report to the White Sox would back off and focus on one of the other big names that Boston potentially preferred to move. Or maybe the Mayer report was indeed true, and the Sox are gearing up for another trade.
Before they do that, though, perhaps it's best for the organization to spend some money instead of immediately depleting their resources.