The 1 Red Sox top prospect regarded as 'untouchable' in trade talks
The Boston Red Sox have a wide range of improvements to make this offseason, including the addition of a frontline starting pitcher, righty bats and catching depth, among other needs.
Luckily for Boston, there are plenty of paths it could take to make a statement this winter. The Red Sox's ownership has plenty of money to sign high-profile free agents, especially after its complacency in recent offseasons.
Their prospect pool is also loaded with quality position player talent. Boston has grand plans for many of its prospects, but not all of them have a future with the big league squad, which gives it plenty of trade candidates it can make something out of.
It's been reported that the Red Sox are "in the thick" of trade discussions around White Sox starter Garrett Crochet. Chicago posted the worst season in MLB history in 2024 and it needs help across the diamond to improve next year. The Red Sox have plenty of young, projectable talent to help the White Sox get back on their feet, but the BoSox have established that one particular player will not be made available in trade talks.
Red Sox have told other teams Roman Anthony is 'unlikely' to be included in trade talks
NL:"If the Red Sox trade Roman Anthony for pitching, they're crazy. He's a star you can't trade for any pitcher whose got any red flags." https://t.co/EANX22PJ2m
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) November 9, 2024
Boston has clarified that it is "unlikely" to include outfielder Roman Anthony in trade talks, according to Sean McAdam of MassLive. Anthony is the Red Sox organization's top prospect and is regarded by some as the top prospect in baseball. The young slugger is expected to be key to Boston's plans for the future, and the team is banking on his MLB debut in 2025.
Anthony slashed .291/.396/.498 with a .894 OPS over 119 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season. The 20-year-old's 35 games with the WooSox were particularly outstanding — he slashed .344/.463/.519 with 12 doubles, a triple, three homers and 20 RBI at the highest level of the minor leagues. He also showed stellar plate discipline and worked 31 walks in his short time with Worcester.
McAdam also reported that the Red Sox might add another "Big Four" prospect to their list of "untouchable" players but did not expound on who that may be. Kristian Campbell seems like the best choice after his breakout 2024 campaign and his ability to play second base. The Red Sox have lacked a consistent second baseman since Dustin Pedroia's retirement, and Campbell flashed the skills to meet the mark as he shot through three minor-league levels in 2024.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow mentioned that no players are completely off the trade block this winter, but Anthony may be as close to "untouchable" as it gets. Anthony's offensive skillset doesn't come around often in a player his age, and Boston intends to keep him around to boost the team's bats for years.
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