The Boston Red Sox have already made one big trade leading up to the trade deadline, but Jeff Passan thinks they still have a big move up their sleeve.
"The Red Sox fought their way back into contention and aren't done adding after acquiring Curtis Mead," wrote Passan. "They are going big. Maybe that means getting Zach Neto from the Angels. They could try to convince Houston to move Jeremy Pena, even as the Astros try to win now, or wheedle (CJ) Abrams from Washington. The best opportunity, though, could be (Otto) Lopez, the Marlins' All-Star shortstop."
Mead will miss significant time with a wrist injury that he sustained in his Red Sox debut. The team was already looking at middle infielders before he got hurt, so they could still swing a trade for a shortstop. Mead is under contract for the next few seasons and seems locked in at second base.
Adding a shortstop with club control would pretty much close the book on Trevor Story and Marcelo Mayer, while also complicating Franklin Arias' path to The Show. Regardless, Craig Breslow seems to think a star shortstop is what is going to help the Red Sox win the World Series this year after an improbable comeback in the standings.
The Red Sox have already reportedly checked in on Peña, and were shut down immediately. The Los Angeles Angels have started selling off pieces, and Neto could be a great fit in Boston. His high strikeout rate is a concern, but he brings some real power.
Abrams will likely cost the Red Sox a haul that includes Arias, so they might stay away from him. The Marlins are two games out of a wild card spot, but history indicates that they will not shy away from selling, in hopes of adding stars for the future. Lopez is having a stellar season and could win a batting title. Having him up the middle with Mead for the next few years, with Caleb Durbin and Willson Contreras at the corners could be great.