How Red Sox can dominate MLB trade deadline with 11 trade assets

1 hour ago 3

The Boston Red Sox are sitting at the bottom of the AL East, and are 15.5 games out of the lead in the division at 30-43. It's been a bleak season, and things aren't looking very promising right now.

With how the year's gone, Red Sox fans should be prepared for the team to act as sellers by the August 3 trade deadline. It will be a signal that the 2026 season has been a disaster.

But, as Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report noted, the Red Sox are a team that can "Own the Trade Deadline" this summer. The reason is clear: Boston has 11 trade assets it could part with, including some of the best players at multiple positions.

How Red Sox can dominate MLB trade deadline in 2026

"Their Best Trade Chips: LHP Aroldis Chapman, RHP Sonny Gray, 1B Willson Contreras, OF Jarren Duran, RHP Garrett Whitlock," Rymer writes. "The Best of the Rest: INF Isiah Kiner-Falefa, LHP Patrick Sandoval, RHP Greg Weissert, LHP Danny Coulombe, SS Trevor Story, DH Masataka Yoshida."

The Red Sox might not want to be sellers this season, but if they do decide to tear the roster apart, then Boston would have a chance to dominate the market.

Aroldis Chapman is arguably the best reliever who could be dealt this season, and as he's likely to have club control through the 2027 season, he should fetch a huge return. Garrett Whitlock, Greg Weissert, and Danny Coulombe should be sought-after names, too.

Looking to the rotation, Sonny Gray and Patrick Sandoval could go for a bit at the deadline. This doesn't even include a team taking a chance on Bryan Bello, either as a change of scenery candidate.

But, where some real value could be had this summer is with the lineup. Jarren Duran might be the most obvious trade chip, as someone who's been in trade talks often before.

MORE: Roman Anthony might’ve been overhyped for Red Sox

The 29-year-old outfielder should be able to bring back a good return as one of the best outfielders who could be on the move this summer. Willson Contreras would be the best first baseman available and could bring back a huge return from a contender.

Kiner-Falefa wouldn't be a terrible depth option for a contender, and there might also be some interest in Trevor Story or Masataka Yoshida if the Red Sox take on some of their large contracts in a trade.

The Red Sox front office, currently led by Craig Breslow, could dominate the trade deadline this summer thanks to 11 potential trade chips that they could part with by the August 3 deadline.

While it's hard to imagine all 11 get traded this summer, there's no question that the Red Sox have the chance to dominate the trade deadline with some of the best trade chips available for postseason and World Series contenders to acquire.