The Red Sox have a record of 41–44. That minor issue with the lineup has escalated. And what followed? A stretch! They were the squad that swept the Yankees and then traded Rafael Devers, breaking up the whole heart of the order. An insider now says that four powerful bats might bring this roster back to life before the trade deadline.
Since trading Rafael Devers, the Red Sox have been going through an identity crisis. The bats have stopped generating noise, and the talk of the playoffs is looking far from reach. And the numbers don’t lie: since the trade, the team lineup has scored the fewest runs in the league. They have a .229 team average and only 3.4 runs per game. With trade deadline looming, the front office must start taking quick action.
Mac Cerullo, who covers the Red Sox from the inside out, has some good suggestions that might put a full stop to this slump. In his latest column in the Boston Herald, four names have come up as potential trade targets. Each one might bring fresh energy to a team. And they’re Josh Naylor, Rhys Hoskins, Marcell Ozuna, and Eugenio Suarez.
Cerullo wrote, “Josh Naylor would fit that bill perfectly.” Arizona’s left-handed first baseman, Josh Naylor, is having his best season. Since joining the Diamondbacks from Cleveland, Naylor has improved their lineup. He has power and speed, with a .300 batting average and an OPS close to .850. And he is also on track for over 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases, which would give an immediate boost to the BoSox.
If not him, then there’s a plan B too. Cerullo suggested that Rhys Hoskins could be a great option. The skilled righty has made a strong comeback after losing the 2023 season. He is already on track for his sixth season with 25 or more home runs, and more importantly, he is back to being disciplined at the plate.
Credit: AP Photo/Mike Stewart
And who is the best option for filling Devers’ DH position? Cerullo mentioned, “Atlanta’s Marcell Ozuna would be a great start.” Over the past two seasons, the Braves’ DH has been one of the most feared sluggers in MLB. He hit 39 home runs in one season and 40 in the next, and he had over 100 RBIs in each.
Eugenio Suarez, who also plays for the D-Backs, is a surprising pick. You might not expect him to be the first name that comes to mind, but his 2025 season is drawing clubs’ attention. He has 25 home runs and could reach 40 again. His right-handed power stroke and .900 OPS would look good at Fenway.
All four players will enter free agency this winter. And if the Red Sox want to fix their problem, they should make a decision. Although they won the game against the Blue Rays by a 15-1, hitters showcased great power, but in the very next game? They lost, and with that, their problems are out in the open again!
After a 15–1 show, the Red Sox’s batters can’t carry the momentum
The Red Sox offense has not been able to keep up its enthusiasm after beating the Blue Jays 15–1 with 18 hits. They lost 3–5 to the Rays in their following game. That two-game swing nicely shows how unstable and unpredictable Boston’s lineup is. While standout performances shine from time to time, the larger unit keeps sputtering when it matters most.
Credit: AP Photo/Terrance Williams
Since June 20, Boston has only won 3 out of 10 games, hitting just. 234/.296/.407 as a whole. The team’s high Drag Factor of 14.20 indicates that too many low wRC+ plate appearances are hindering the offense, demonstrating that the front office hasn’t addressed a systemic issue. In other words, even if some players have great games, the whole team doesn’t always play well.
The drop-off in crucial situations is still quite significant. Boston has often failed to take advantage of having runners in scoring position, and their record in one-run games has dropped, continuing a theme of late-inning mistakes that has been going on all season. The Rays game after the blowout was a microcosm: Boston only got eight hits, scored three runs, and lost again.
The 15–1 win showed Boston’s potential, but the loss that followed and other measures show that there are bigger problems. A couple of good bats won’t get the offense going. The Red Sox will stay stuck in the middle if they don’t make any real changes. And it’s high time.
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