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Red Sox Rumors: Offseason catching buzz calls Adley Rutschman trade into question

What are we doing here?
ByStephen Parello
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Sep 16, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher Adley Rutschman (31) looks on during the game between the Rangers and the Red Sox at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Sep 16, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher Adley Rutschman (31) looks on during the game between the Rangers and the Red Sox at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Catcher is one of the most important positions in baseball, while also being one of the thinnest talent pools. The thing is, though, once you have a good one, you really don't need more. Or at least we thought. The Boston Red Sox went all in at the trade deadline to acquire Adley Rutschman, which is why it's very odd to hear that one of their top free-agent targets is... Ryan Jeffers?

Apparently, the Red Sox are interested in the former Minnesota Twins backstop, and we're trying to figure out why. Jeffers hit a strong .256/.353/.461 in 2026, but his performance cratered in the second-half when he came back from a broken hamate bone, with his OPS dropping from .942 in the first half to .722 in the second half. On top of that, he was extended the qualifying offer earlier this month, and giving up a draft pick isn't something that Boston typically likes to do.

Rutschman didn't hit much, save for a revenge game against the Orioles, putting together a .222/.278/.410 line after being traded to the Red Sox, but is that really reason to consider a replacement? The Red Sox were telling us earlier in the offseason that they expect him to return to the 4-5 WAR form he displayed earlier in his career.

Are the Red Sox hinting that the Adley Rutschman trade was a mistake, or is there something else at play?

Rutschman is only under contract for one more year, so maybe this is a hedge against him leaving after next season. Perhaps the Red Sox want to get a jump on his departure and trade him away after signing Jeffers. That doesn't make much sense, though.

First, the astronomical price that Boston paid to acquire Rutschman will create barriers for them to swing trades for other desirable targets. Replacing him with Jeffers solidifies the move as a mistake. On top of that, if the Red Sox were to try to trade Rutschman, they'd get nowhere near what they gave up to acquire him, especially with the lockout potentially threatening games being played in 2027.

There's always a chance that the Jeffers interest is an exercise in misdirection. Perhaps Boston is actually targeting another player, one that makes more sense like Randy Arozarena or Seiya Suzuki, but want the league to believe that their focused on Jeffers to strengthen the negotiation position elsewhere.

Or maybe, the Red Sox are trying to drive the price up for a rival. The argument for this being true is a bit flimsy, though, with word that the Yankees are in talks with Carson Kelly and the fact that while the Orioles could look to fortify their catcher situation with a veteran, they are committed long-term to Samuel Basallo. Neither club really seems like a prime suitor for Jeffers.

Something's afoot, but we're not quite sure what. What is clear is that if this interest is real, the process that led the Red Sox to this point is borderline malpractice.

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