The Boston Red Sox enter the offseason with two glaring needs: a slugger and a Sonny Gray replacement.
We’ve covered the hitters and pitchers they should target in free agency, but it might make more sense for chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and Co. to improve the roster via the trade market.
So, who are the biggest names expected to be on the block this winter? Below are 10 potential trade candidates who would be great fits for Boston:
Elly De La Cruz, SS, Cincinnati Reds
2026 stats: .283/.365/.515, 30 HR, 79 RBI, 30 SB, 175 SO, 72 BB (143 games)
De La Cruz should be at the top of Boston’s offseason wish list, but is he a realistic target?
The Reds would almost certainly want a haul of top prospects in return for the electrifying 24-year-old. It would have been much easier for the Red Sox to complete such a deal had they not sent four of their top 10 prospects — RHP Anthony Eyanson, RHP Kyson Witherspoon, OF Enddy Azocar, and OF Harold Rivas — to the Baltimore Orioles for Adley Rutschman before the trade deadline
It’s hard to picture a scenario in which the Reds accept a Red Sox offer for De La Cruz that excludes their No. 1 prospect, shortstop Franklin Arias. It would likely take Arias, one or two more top-ranked prospects (Justin Gonzales? Franklin Primera?) and an MLB player (Wilyer Abreu?) to get Cincinnati to even consider sending De La Cruz to Boston. Even then, it may not be enough.
CJ Abrams, SS, Washington Nationals
2026 stats: .261/.336/.497, 33 HR, 106 RBI, 34 SB, 158 SO, 57 BB (152 games)
Like De La Cruz, Abrams would be extremely costly, and trade discussions would likely begin with Arias.
Abrams is coming off a sensational All-Star season in D.C., during which he set career highs in every major offensive category. However, his defense at shortstop left plenty to be desired. He committed 20 errors and finished the 2026 campaign with -17 Outs Above Average.
If the Red Sox were to acquire Abrams, they could move him to second base and shift Curtis Mead (also a poor defender) to the primary designated hitter role. Arias or Trevor Story would begin the 2027 season as Boston’s starting shortstop.
Note: Jim Bowden of The Athletic reported on Tuesday that the Red Sox are expected to pursue De La Cruz and Abrams this offseason.
Jeremy Pena, SS, Houston Astros
2026 stats: .277/.325/.477, 22 HR, 56 RBI, 12 SB, 116 SO, 24 BB (112 games)
This could be the Astros’ last chance to capitalize on Pena’s value as one of the league’s premier shortstops, with the 29-year-old scheduled to hit free agency after the 2027 season.
Pena would give the Red Sox the right-handed pop they so desperately need. Injuries are a concern, as he missed time in each of the last two seasons, but the former World Series MVP is a stellar all-around player when healthy.
If Arias isn’t traded, he could move to second base while Pena takes over as Boston’s starting shortstop.
Zach Neto, SS, Los Angeles Angels
2026 stats: .239/.330/.436, 27 HR, 77 RBI, 24 SB, 215 SO, 70 BB (157 games)
Yet another slugging middle infielder for Boston to consider, Neto was heavily linked to the Red Sox before the trade deadline. In fact, the club’s reported interest in the 25-year-old dates back to last winter, when the Angels’ asking price was sky-high.
That price remained high before this year’s trade deadline, and the Angels held on to Neto despite being arguably the worst team in baseball. If L.A. is willing to lower that price this offseason, Boston should revisit trade discussions.
Neto can flat-out rake, and his power is exactly what the Red Sox need in the middle of their lineup. He isn’t a good defender, though, and his high strikeout rate (30.5 percent) is a red flag.
Bryce Harper, 1B/OF/DH, Philadelphia Phillies
2026 stats: .269/.380/.485, 29 HR, 87 RBI, 148 SO, 107 BB (162 games)
It’s unclear whether the Phillies would entertain trading Harper. Even if they would, Harper would then have to waive his full no-trade clause.
If Harper is available, he’d be a perfect fit for a Boston club that has lacked star power in recent years. The two-time MVP and nine-time All-Star’s track record speaks for itself, even as he enters his age-34 season. He’s still one of the league’s most feared sluggers.
Harper’s fit with the Red Sox would depend on what other moves are made in the offseason. For instance, Harper would take over in right field if Wilyer Abreu is moved, or at first base if Willson Contreras is dealt. He’d presumably spend time as the DH as well.
Ketel Marte, 2B, Arizona Diamondbacks
2026 stats: .249/.316/.432, 22 HR, 76 RBI, 86 SO, 51 BB (141 games)
The Red Sox reportedly declined to trade LHP Connelly Early (later sent to Nationals for Mead) and SS Marcelo Mayer (sent to Giants for Erik Miller) for Marte last offseason. In hindsight, that would have been a great deal for Boston.
Craig Breslow and Co. should get another shot to acquire Marte this offseason, especially after another bizarre year for the veteran infielder in Arizona. In August, Marte was an unexplained no-show for a game against Boston. He was placed on the restricted list and later the injured list with a knee issue.
At this point, Marte might just need a change of scenery. If that happens with Boston, he’d slot in as the starting second baseman and one of the most feared bats in the lineup. Mead would become the Sox’ primary DH.
Hunter Greene, SP, Cincinnati Reds
2026 stats: 2-2, 6.83 ERA, 1.373 WHIP, 33 SO, 9 BB, 27.2 IP (five starts)
Greene missed most of the 2026 season due to elbow injuries and underwent Tommy John surgery that will sideline him for all of 2027. He wouldn’t address Boston’s need for an immediate Sonny Gray replacement, but it’s an opportunity to buy low on one of the game’s most talented right-handed pitchers.
In 2025, Greene posted a 2.76 ERA and 0.938 WHIP with 132 strikeouts in 19 starts. In 2024, he earned his first All-Star nod and some Cy Young votes with a 2.75 ERA and 1.018 WHIP in 26 starts.
The hard-throwing 27-year-old would be an excellent addition to an already-strong Red Sox rotation once he’s healthy. While Boston should still look for a reliable arm to replace Gray in 2027, it can afford to wait a year for Greene’s return.
Joe Ryan, SP, Minnesota Twins
2026 stats: 7-10, 3.79 ERA, 1.161 WHIP, 159 SO, 31 BB, 144.2 IP (27 starts)
The Red Sox were reportedly willing to trade Arias and Payton Tolle to the Twins for Ryan before the 2025 deadline. Sometimes, the best moves are the ones you don’t make.
That said, Ryan would still be a welcome addition to the Red Sox rotation. Boston needs a right-hander to replace Gray, who’s a free agent after an outstanding season as Boston’s de facto ace. With Garrett Crochet returning from injury, Payton Tolle emerging as a legitimate front-end arm, and Ranger Suarez in the mix, Ryan shouldn’t have to be anything more than a solid mid-rotation starter.
Ryan is arbitration-eligible this offseason and is scheduled to become a free agent in 2028.
Jacob deGrom, SP, Texas Rangers
2026 stats: 11-11, 4.20 ERA, 1.137 WHIP, 201 SO, 46 BB, 162.2 IP (31 starts)
The Red Sox acquired a 36-year-old Sonny Gray from the Cardinals last offseason, and Gray went on to produce Cy Young-caliber numbers with Boston. If Breslow wants to make a similar move for a talented, aging veteran pitcher this winter, deGrom stands out as an intriguing option.
DeGrom, 38, notched a 4.20 ERA and 3.11 FIP with the Rangers last season. Gray (4.28 ERA, 3.39 FIP) put up similar numbers in his last season with St. Louis.
Although his days as a perennial Cy Young candidate are probably over, deGrom would be a fascinating addition to Boston’s rotation. The Red Sox are currently heavy on left-handers, so a proven righty like deGrom would be the perfect fit.
Ivan Herrera, DH/C, St. Louis Cardinals
2026 stats: .241/.353/.382, 19 HR, 69 RBI, 138 SO, 76 BB (161 games)
Herrera is coming off his first All-Star season. With a crowded catcher depth chart, the Cardinals could look to capitalize on the 26-year-old’s value this winter.
If Herrera is indeed made available in trade talks, he’d be one of the most attractive right-handed-hitting options. He’d almost certainly serve as the DH in Boston, with Adley Rutschman and Connor Wong behind the dish. Herrera has graded poorly as a defensive catcher since entering the league in 2022.
