Red Sox have Fenway Park reason to target specific type of hitter at trade deadline

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The Boston Red Sox are currently slated to be trade deadline sellers during the 2026 season, as things have gone very poorly.

But, if they get hot in July and climb back into the postseason race, even if they're only a few games out of the hunt, they could aim to buy at the deadline.

If they do, what should they target? MLB.com's Ian Browne identified the one type of hitter this team needs, and it's a simple one. Boston needs to add a right-handed hitter, and ideally, one to play the middle infield.

Red Sox's top trade target should be a righty slugger for Fenway Park reason

"Red Sox: Right-handed bat," Browne writes. "A right-handed hitter who could take advantage of Fenway Park and play the middle infield would be an ideal fit."

Boston adding a right-handed slugger to the lineup would be a huge boost, as the success of Willson Contreras this season should prove how valuable a good right-handed hitter can be for the Red Sox.

Fenway Park's Green Monster in left field is a great opportunity for a righty slugger to take advantage of, so any righty hitter who can pull the ball, especially in the air, would be of interest.

Ideally, the Red Sox should want to add a middle infielder to take over at second base for Marcelo Mayer or shortstop for Trevor Story. Matt Shaw of the Chicago Cubs could be a decent trade option to build for the future. But what about winning now or in 2027?

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Isaac Paredes of the Houston Astros might be their best trade target, as the right-handed slugger is great at pulling the ball in the air, and he'd be great at Fenway Park.

He's a primary third baseman, but he's also capable of playing second base. If the Red Sox are buying at the deadline, Paredes should be someone they strongly consider adding.

They were linked to the Astros slugger over the offseason, with Jarren Duran as the trade chip going the other way. With Duran's struggles this season, the Red Sox should seriously reconsider such a deal if Houston is still open to a deal.

Even if the Red Sox aren't buying to contend in 2026, they could still look to land a controllable righty slugger, like Paredes, at the deadline. The Red Sox should keep Fenway Park in mind this year and target right-handed hitters at the deadline.