The Boston Red Sox are going to need to be bold if they want to turn the 2026 Major League Baseball season around.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has already acknowledged that he has had discussions with teams about potential trades to improve Boston's offense. Boston desperately needs more firepower and specifically from the right side of the plate.
But who should the Red Sox target? Isaac Paredes of the Houston Astros is someone who will likely get talked about a lot. He was connected to Boston this past offseason and would be a clear upgrade at a position of need. He's an obvious option. But Boston should be aiming even higher.
The guy who would be a dream target is Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout. It's important to note that Trout has a no-trade clause and has given no indication that he wants to leave Los Angeles, despite the fact that the Angels are 22-35 and have shown no signs of turning this thing around. Trout has four seasons left on his 12-year, $426.5 million deal. That's just over $37.1 million per year. He's also 34 years old and injury-prone. But he has been excellent so far this season. He has played in 56 games and is slashing .239/.405/.487 with an .892 OPS, 13 homers, 30 RBIs, and a league-leading 52 walks. Trout is a generational talent, and it also wouldn't hurt for Roman Anthony to learn from one of the league's best.
Overall, Trout would bring a much-needed big right-handed bat to town and he has been known throughout his career as a leader and great clubhouse guy. Boston has a young team. Getting a person like Trout into the clubhouse would be incredible.
So, what should an offer look like?
Red Sox Receive: OF Mike Trout, cash
Angels Receive: OF Jarren Duran, RHP Kyson Witherspoon (Boston's No. 3 prospect), INF Mikey Romero (Boston's No. 11 prospect)
In this scenario, the Red Sox would get the righty Trout plus cash to offset some of his contract. Maybe something in the $50 million range. In exchange for Trout and paying down some of his contract, the Angels would get a younger and cheaper outfielder in Duran, a top pitching prospect, and a former first-round pick in Romero?
Should the Red Sox make this type of move? Weigh in below!