If the Red Sox are sellers at the trade deadline, these players could be moved. Originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
It remains to be seen whether the Boston Red Sox will be buyers or sellers at this year’s trade deadline. They are just 1.5 games back of the third Wild Card spot on Tuesday, so their performance in the coming weeks will likely determine their fate.
We’ve covered some interesting potential trade targets in the event that first-year chief baseball officer Craig Breslow decides to buy. However, Red Sox fans should prepare for an approach similar to the recent deadlines under Chaim Bloom. It wouldn’t be a surprise if they continued to sell with their eyes set on 2025 and beyond.
If that’s the route the Red Sox take, here are the five players likely to be moved before July 30 at 6:00 p.m. ET.
The Red Sox acquired O’Neill in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals last December, a smart move by Craig Breslow in his first offseason as Boston’s CBO.
O’Neill has provided the Red Sox lineup with some much-needed right-handed power. Through 58 games played, he ranks second on the team in home runs (16) with an impressive .876 OPS. His offensive numbers are on pace to match his breakout 2021 campaign, which saw him finish eighth in National League MVP voting.
If Breslow and Co. add at the deadline, O’Neill will play a major role in the team’s push for a playoff spot over the final two months. But if they decide to sell, O’Neill is a prime candidate to deal since his contract expires at the end of the season. He’d be a perfect rental for a contender looking to bolster its offense.
The Chaim Bloom-led Red Sox acquired McGuire from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for reliever Jake Diekman at the 2022 trade deadline. Two years later, the veteran catcher could move again.
McGuire is eligible for arbitration in 2025 and is scheduled to become a free agent in 2026. With Kyle Teel flourishing in the minor leagues, a deadline deal could open the door for the top catcher to join the big leagues.
In 45 games as the Red Sox’ No. 2 catcher behind Connor Wong, McGuire has a .205/.289/.299 batting average with three home runs.
If the Red Sox part ways with Pivetta, they won’t be selling high. The 31-year-old righty has a 4.52 ERA in 12 starts. He has allowed 15 earned runs in 19.1 innings in his last four starts.
Still, pitching is a priority for most buyers at the trade deadline, and Pivetta offers plenty of upside. His stellar performance in the 2021 postseason could attract contenders looking for affordable starting pitching options.
Pivetta will become an unrestricted free agent this winter.
Martin hasn’t put up the video game-like numbers he did in his debut season with the Red Sox last year, but he’s still solid. The 38-year-old veteran has a 3.55 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP in 25 appearances (25.1 innings).
His continued success and postseason pedigree make him an attractive target for teams in need of a boost to their bullpen. Martin is scheduled to become a free agent after this season, joining the Red Sox’ other key relievers as strong candidates to be traded.
Jansen appears to be the most likely to be traded of the five players mentioned. The Red Sox essentially prepared for that scenario when they gave fellow veteran closer Liam Hendriks a two-year, $10 million contract last offseason. Hendriks is expected to return from Tommy John recovery sometime in August.
The Red Sox should be able to get a decent return for Jansen, a four-time All-Star with 436 career saves. The 36-year-old has a 2.22 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 28 appearances (28.1 innings) this season.
Jansen could be loaned out, as he will become a free agent after this season.
