Market activity in Los Angeles will depend on owner Arte Moreno
by Jason Ounpraseuth | 6 hours ago | 4 min reading
The Los Angeles Dodgers secured the top two free agents on the market: Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. There is a significant gap to the rest of the class, which is why the Boston Red Sox may hit the trade market to improve the roster.
Jordan Montgomery and Blake Snell are considered the top players available, and Boston has been linked to both pitchers. The Red Sox may have an advantage with Montgomery as he accepted his offseason residency in Massachusetts while his wife accepts a residency at a local hospital.
The Red Sox still have room for improvement, and a trade for a quality pitcher like Corbin Burnes or Dylan Cease could be on the cards. Second base is also needed, and the San Diego Padres could part ways with Ha-Seong Kim. Boston has reportedly called the Seattle Mariners about their young pitchers, but it doesn't sound like they're interested in becoming sellers yet. However, another team in the American League West could be open to offers.
The Los Angeles Angels lost Ohtani and Mike Trout could be on his way out. Owner Arte Moreno may not want to hit rock bottom, but he may not have a choice. Trout would be an ambitious target, but The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal on Friday identified players who have drawn interest from Major League Baseball clubs. Let’s look at each one and see how they might fit in Boston.
Luis Rengifo
The 26-year-old would fill Boston's need for a starting second baseman and is versatile enough to fill in anywhere in the lineup if someone is injured or needs a day of rest. After the All-Star Game, he had an OPS of .960, which was the 17th highest in the majors, according to Rosenthal. He has two more seasons under the club's control and is a defensive player good enough to work alongside Trevor Story.
Taylor Ward
The 30-year-old outfielder missed last season due to facial fractures he suffered after taking a hit in the face from Alek Manoah on July 29. According to Rosenthal, teams covet his three years of team control. But the Red Sox are also interested in Teoscar Hernández, who would be a better fit than Ward and wouldn't cost a fortune.
Mickey Moniak
The 25-year-old outfielder is on his way up in the majors after his 113 OPS+ season, but similar to Ward, Boston is unlikely to trade for another outfielder after signing Tyler O'Neill from the St. Louis Cardinals want.
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Matt Thaiss
Rosenthal pointed out that catchers are always in demand. Connor Wong is locked in as the starting catcher for the Red Sox, but depth options could be considered, especially with Kyle Teel likely a 2025 option. The Red Sox have been familiar with Thaiss since drafting him in the 2023 MLB Amateur Draft, but he did not sign and attended the University of Virginia. He also played for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2015, so he has local ties. However, Boston added catchers this offseason, so Thaiss may be off the table.
Jose Suarez
Starting pitching has been a priority for the Red Sox this offseason, but Suarez may not be that. He missed time last season with a shoulder injury and had a mediocre 2022 with a 3.96 ERA in 109 innings. Montgomery and Snell would be the more desirable left-handed pitchers than Suarez.
Rosenthal emphasized that the Angels don't necessarily have to make one move, but Moreno could be pressured to make multiple moves now that his team's top star signs with the crosstown rival. Boston could be one of those teams that makes a decision.
About the author
Jason Ounpraseuth