Three Potential Red Sox Trade Targets from ESPN’s Early Season Watchlist
While it’s still only April, it’s never too soon for a team like the Red Sox to consider roster improvements, especially with the postseason in mind.
Apparently, ESPN.com is on the same wavelength. Writer David Schoenfield put together a comprehensive — and ambitious — list outlining at least one potential trade candidate for every MLB team, even with the trade deadline still three months away. Schoenfield acknowledged the 2025 trade deadline might be tricky to predict, citing a potential lack of marquee names on the market and how a crowded American League race could shake things up.
“Maybe that will lead to some more unusual deadline deals: MLB player-for-MLB-player trades, rather than just prospect deals; or maybe a few more trades involving players who aren’t just headed for free agency, like Jazz Chisholm Jr. last year,” he wrote.
Boston is very much in the thick of that AL cluster, and with a surplus of young talent but limited roster flexibility, they might have some unique trade opportunities.
If the Red Sox are contenders by July, expect them to be buyers. With that in mind, here are three (well, four) players from Schoenfield’s list Boston might want to target:
SP Sandy Alcantara (Miami Marlins)
The Marlins are once again in rebuilding mode, which could open the door for Boston to pursue right-hander Sandy Alcantara. Schoenfield groups teams into categories based on their deadline outlook, and Boston appears in the group that could be a fit for Miami’s ace.
Alcantara is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and hasn’t quite found his rhythm yet — he owns a 7.27 ERA over his first four starts, with 13 strikeouts across 17 1/3 innings. His fastball velocity is still impressive (averaging 97 mph), but control has been a major issue, as he’s walking more hitters and allowing too much hard contact. Still, the raw tools are there, and if Boston were to inquire now, they might get him at a reduced price before his performance rebounds and his trade value climbs.
RP Ryan Helsley (St. Louis Cardinals) / RP Jhoan Duran (Minnesota Twins)
Technically this is two players, but there’s good reason for that. Helsley and Duran are in very different situations but both could help bolster Boston’s bullpen.
Helsley, in the final year of his contract, would be a rental. He was rumored to be part of potential offseason trade talks between the Red Sox and Cardinals involving Nolan Arenado. He led MLB in saves last season (49) and has continued to dominate this year, fanning 9 of the 31 batters he’s faced. With the Cardinals off to a slow start, Helsley could become a hot commodity.
Duran, on the other hand, is under team control through 2027, which would make him a longer-term investment — and likely a pricier one. He’s been almost untouchable early in the season, ranking in the top 6% of expected ERA and posting a whiff rate north of 30%. While the Twins are in a weak division and probably won’t sell soon, he’s a name worth monitoring as the season unfolds.
INF Kyle Farmer (Minnesota Twins)
While most of ESPN’s list leans heavily toward pitching, Farmer stands out as a potential utility bat. He’s a right-handed hitter with experience across the infield, and Boston entered the season with a clear need for right-handed balance. Rookie Kristian Campbell has helped, but adding someone like Farmer could provide valuable depth — particularly in case of injury or continued struggles from someone like Triston Casas.
Farmer likely wouldn’t be more than a bench piece, and his inclusion in the list feels more like a product of timing than a strong fit. Still, he’s a name to keep in mind if the Sox are looking to round out the roster come July.