Red Sox reportedly made fascinating Mike Trout trade attempt

1 hour ago 1

The Boston Red Sox are likely to be trade deadline buyers this season after a 15-game win streak brought them right back into contention.

While the Red Sox no longer need outfield help with their current options more than good enough to contend, they previously tried making a fascinating trade for a future Hall of Famer after losing Mookie Betts.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported that the Red Sox previously tried trading for Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout. While he didn't specify a time this pursuit was made, it's still an interesting report.

Red Sox previously tried trading for Mike Trout

"They made attempts to acquire Angels center fielder Mike Trout in the past, and this time have their eyes on Angels shortstop Zach Neto or shortstop CJ Abrams from the Washington Nationals," Nightengale writes.

Trout, the future Hall of Fame outfielder, signed a 12-year, $426.5 million contract before the 2019 MLB season. Maybe the Red Sox tried trading for him before that deal was agreed to.

But, they also could've been in pursuit at some of the prior trade deadlines, whether it was last year when he was healthy but not playing at his best, or in 2022 or 2023 during Trout's prior two All-Star seasons before his 2026 All-Star nod.

Adding Trout in a trade would be a very fun headline for any team, and while teams like the Philadelphia Phillies will be linked to him in trade rumors this season, the Red Sox probably aren't a realistic suitor for Trout this season.

MORE: Yankees send scouts to Cubs vs. Twins series amid trade interest in three players

They could justify a trade, but with the Angels unlikely to trade Trout, and Trout's no-trade clause further complicating a deal, any trade for Trout is going to be extremely difficult to get across the finish line.

While Nightengale is reporting the Red Sox previously tried trading for Trout, there isn't any specifics about the offer or how serious their pursuit got.

But what this does show is that if the Red Sox believe in their team, they aren't afraid of spending big in a trade to significantly upgrade the roster.

That could be the case this summer, as the Red Sox could part with a king's ransom to upgrade their middle infield or catcher spot as they plan to buy at the deadline. And as fun as adding Trout would be, that's not a realistic option for Boston this summer.