Despite the fact that the Boston Red Sox are in need of a right-handed hitter, there has been surprisingly little debate about acquiring one through trade.
It’s all about free agency, which makes sense given that hitters are signing for lower prices than pitchers this winter. But the Red Sox have yet to sign a single position player in free agency this winter, let alone a powerful right-handed bat.
However, most of the free-agent options are running out, and it does not appear that the Red Sox are close to signing any of the remaining major names, such as Alex Bregman or Anthony Santander. At some time, they may need to shift their focus to trade negotiations.
If there’s one right-handed hitter on the trade market who should spark the Red Sox’s attention, it’s Chicago Cubs slugger Seiya Suzuki. The 30-year-old has two years left on his five-year, $85 million contract with Chicago and has an excellent 128 career OPS+.
What will it take for the Red Sox to acquire Suzuki? Here’s a possible trade package involving two strong prospects that would intrigue Chicago:
Red Sox get: OF Seiya Suzuki
Cubs get: INF Yoeilin Cespedes (Red Sox No. 5 prospect, per MLB.com), RHP Hunter Dobbins (No. 16).
Cespedes, a 19-year-old with excellent plate discipline and well-rounded tools, has the potential to replace Dansby Swanson at shortstop in the future. Meanwhile, Dobbins appears to be ready to make his major league debut in 2025 and projects as a future back-end starting pitcher.
Suzuki’s swing would work well at Fenway Park, and he’d be able to handle left-field duties in addition to receiving the majority of designated hitter at-bats whenever top prospects Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell arrive in Boston. He has the potential to be a 30-homer bat who strikes out less times than Tyler O’Neill.
Suzuki’s swing would work well at Fenway Park, and he’d be able to handle left-field duties in addition to receiving the majority of designated hitter at-bats whenever top prospects Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell arrive in Boston. He has the potential to be a 30-homer bat who strikes out less times than Tyler O’Neill.
Ironically, getting one Japanese star might require the Red Sox to ship one away. Masataka Yoshida is currently the designated hitter in Boston, having signed a contract similar to Suzuki’s ($95 million) with three years remaining.
Would both sides accept this deal? No one can say for sure, but it would give the two front offices plenty to think about.
