The Boston Red Sox were reportedly interested in star shortstops at the trade deadline, but nothing came to fruition.
According to The Athletic's Jim Bowden, the Red Sox made a "strong offer" for Elly De La Cruz at the deadline, but it was turned down. However, Bowden also noted that after the season, the Cincinnati Reds owner spoke to the team president after the season and pointed to the Milwaukee Brewers' formula of trading star players before free agency for hauls.
If the Reds decide to deal De La Cruz, the Red Sox would make a ton of sense as a landing spot. MassLive's Chris Cotillo predicted the Red Sox would end up trading for the Reds star.
"The Red Sox need offense yet don’t have many clear positions where an upgrade makes sense," wrote Cotillo. "Shortstop is clearly one of them with Trevor Story entering the final year of his contract. Dealing for De La Cruz would represent a clear blockbuster and 'go-for-it' move from Craig Breslow, and that’s exactly what the Red Sox need. Franklin Arias would headline any package."
The Red Sox could find a way to move on from Trevor Story and then be set with De La Cruz at shortstop for the next few years, likely trying to extend him past that. As for Arias, he is a great prospect, but De La Cruz is a proven star.
"The Red Sox, more than perhaps any other organization in baseball, have seen over the past few years that prospects are suspect until proven otherwise," wrote Cotillo. "Dealing Arias for a known commodity makes a lot of sense considering what the organization has been through with even its most surefire top prospects."