The MLB trade deadline is right around the corner, and the Boston Red Sox suddenly find themselves as potential buyers after a 13-game win streak.
The Red Sox have clear needs, but perhaps not quite as many as a month ago. Some of their players have started playing as fans expected, but they still have a couple of holes on the roster. One position that could use an upgrade is catcher. Carlos Narváez has struggled this year, but Connor Wong has played well.
Wong has not been good against southpaws, and the team could really use a more consistent catcher. Hunter Goodman is a player who could be available, and The Athletic's Jim Bowden proposed this trade to get him to Boston:
- Red Sox receive: Hunter Goodman
- Colorado Rockies receive: Connelly Early, Kyson Witherspoon, Marcelo Mayer and Carlos Narváez
Witherspoon is the Red Sox's No. 4 prospect. Goodman is under club control through 2029, but this may be too much to give up for the Red Sox. Early is a great young pitcher who has already proven he can succeed in the big leagues. Mayer has not lived up to expectations, but trading him would create some questions about the future at second base.
Getting Goodman would certainly improve the offense, but giving up Early may be too much. He has a 3.44 ERA through 17 starts, but the emergence of Jake Bennett may make the Red Sox slightly more comfortable with trading Early.
Putting the future aside, trading Early could actually hurt the Red Sox right now. Garrett Crochet and Ranger Suarez are currently on the injured list, and dealing Early would leave the rotation rather thin. The Red Sox have clawed back into the postseason race, but they will need their rotation to be sharp to actually get into the dance.