This year's trade deadline is still two and a half months away, which is good news for the Boston Red Sox who have a lot of work to do before they can safely consider themselves buyers in the hunt for a postseason spot. Part of that work might be an unusually early trade.
Multiple sources reported on May 15 that the Red Sox had already begun “spitballing both big and small trade ideas within their own walls” (subscription required). During a May 22 appearance on WEEI's "The Greg Hill Show," Red Sox CEO and president Sam Kennedy confirmed that Boston is already weighing trade options to improve its sluggish offense.
"There has been conversations going on earlier than ever before on that front," Kennedy said. "It's obviously hard, the American League is so bunched up... there's conversations, there's urgency, and that's something that's important and hopefully something that could be done earlier rather than later."
Kennedy made sure to note that he's not sure the Red Sox will be able to match up for a trade this early — Alex Speier of The Boston Globe noted that so many AL teams are desperate to improve quite early in the year, which could drive prices up significantly on the trade market. If Boston can find someone to trade with, it still has plenty of star pitchers in the lower level of the minor leagues to include in an enticing package.
Sam Kennedy confirms Red Sox are already looking around the league for trades to improve offense
Red Sox on the lookout for a bat?
— The Greg Hill Show (@TheGregHillShow) May 22, 2026
Kennedy: "There has been conversations going on earlier than ever before on that front" Red Sox President and CEO, Sam Kennedy joins! What does Kennedy make of this offense/pitching?
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The Red Sox are desperate for a source of consistent power, likely a right-hander due to Fenway Park's dimensions and because Caleb Durbin hasn't delivered the way Boston expected. It's too early in the year for many trade rumors to emerge from the mill, but the Sox have already been named as a possible landing spot in a (very) longshot Mike Trout trade with the Los Angeles Angels.
Much like the Sox, the Houston Astros have had a rough start to the season — maybe they and Boston could finally strike a deal to land Isaac Paredes for an outfielder. Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte entered full no-trade protection in April, but maybe he would ok a trade to the Red Sox. It'll take quite a package to entice the D-Backs into a trade, likely why they couldn't get something done over the offseason.
Kennedy said that National League teams have been more receptive to trade talks so far. It may already be a lost year for the San Francisco Giants, who signed Luis Arráez over the winter. His .319/.358/.422 slash line would make the Red Sox's lineup longer, and he's grown into one of the best defensive second basemen this season with eight outs above average for 99th percentile range and two defensive runs saved.
It could be some time before the Red Sox pull off a trade, if they do so at all. But it's encouraging to hear that the team is looking for ways to improve while the AL is still wide open. There may be playoff hopes for the Red Sox yet.
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