The MLB trade deadline is heating up, and the Boston Red Sox are no longer just part of the rumor mill now. They might just be here to be in the center of the conversations. It all started when Boston Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow stepped in front of the reporters ahead of their win over Chicago.
He looked calm and composed, and clear with his message. He mentioned, “We went into this season taking a very aggressive posture… And so, we’re approaching the deadline looking for ways to bolster the team given the play over the last month-and-a-half or so.” So suddenly, the message was out—Boston isn’t poking around; they are hunting.
And it turns out that they have got their eyes on the biggest arms still in play—the Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller. The $77 million starter has a 3.48 ERA and club control through 2028. And well, Boston might have an edge.
July 8, 2025: Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller 23 warms up before the bottom of the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO. /CSM Kansas City United States of America – ZUMAc04_ 20250708_zma_c04_098 Copyright: xDavidxSmithx
ESPN jumped in and gave Boston an edge: “The Red Sox have a surplus of outfielders already in the majors and more hitting prospects in the minors, so they line up as a potential match with Pittsburgh.” For them, Mitch Keller is the best fit for the Boston Red Sox. They even floated the bold proposal of a one-for-one challenge trade. Keller for Jarren Duran; both players are controllable through 2028. Bold? For sure. But in this story, Boston is, of course, not alone, and you can’t forget New York when it comes to them. And this time, not just one but two New York teams!
The Yankees and the Mets have both been linked to Keller. The Mets, in particular, are in a situation given Paul Blackburn’s shoulder issue. Dedniel Nunez, too, may need a second Tommy John surgery, and rotation is patchwork at best right now. Mets insider Danielle McCartan also mentioned, “Keller is going to be the best option… and even he’s not great.” But right now, he honestly might be better than anything Queens has.
The New York Yankees have also been busy working their phones. Jon Heyman said they are in regular contact with Pittsburgh, and Keller is one of the five probable names being watched. Now, who would pull the trigger, and if Boston would be the one, is still a mystery. But one thing is not—Breslow isn’t bluffing now, and he even hinted at looking for a first baseman, which is just a nod at how open Boston is this time to spend. As for the first baseman, they could seriously be making a move.
Boston Red Sox scramble for a first base fix as Toro cools off
There is no doubt that Boston should be grateful for what Abraham Toro has done for them this season. He stepped up when the team needed him the most, right when Triston Casas went down. And well, when Rafael Devers, let’s just say, was not exactly leaping at the chance to switch positions. Now suddenly, though, he is open to playing first at the Giants!
As far as Toro is concerned, his numbers are cooling down fast. This is why Boston needs to start thinking, or rather acting, urgently. Romy Gonzalez has been clutch against the lefties, so the logical move would be to target a left-handed-hitting first baseman to balance things. But if Casas is not the long-term answer, then the future feels dark suddenly. This is where Tyler Soderstrom enters the chat.
Alex Speier of the Boston Globe mentioned the 23-year-old Athletics first baseman as an option for the Boston Red Sox before the deadline. And in a way it makes sense. A’s now have a jam of corner bats with Nick Kurtz, Brent Rooker, and Soderstrom. Now Kurtz and Rooker are off the limit, and that leaves Soderstrom. He crushes righties and still has four years of control after 2025. Sure, his. 782 OPS and 115 OPS+ are not eye-watering, but they are good.
The only catch will be the price, as the Oakland A’s won’t give up in such a bargain. But if Breslow is to be believed, then Boston might bite the bullet.
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