Red Sox Predicted To Steal Batting Champ From Division Rival
This trade would shock some people...
Are the Boston Red Sox about to poach a big bat from a division rival?
On Tuesday, The Athletic’s Jim Bowden made a bold prediction about a potential blockbuster move for the Red Sox as the MLB trade deadline approaches.
Boston’s interest in adding another first baseman is not a new piece of news. However, the Red Sox landing a former American League batting champion from the Tampa Bay Rays would surprise many people. That’s just what Bowden predicted will happen.
“The Red Sox will get Yandy Díaz from the Rays,” Bowden wrote.
Díaz, a 2023 All-Star, has had an off-year in 2025. He was hitting .204/.293/.339/.632 with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs entering Tuesday, but Boston might feel that a change of scenery could lead to a return to form.
Díaz is an elite talent despite his recent struggles, and his addition would provide the Red Sox with a reliable bat at first base. This proposal seems odd from the Rays’ perspective, but it carries weight when endorsed by an analyst as prominent as Bowden.
The Rays could look to fleece the Red Sox of some valuable prospect capital by waving Díaz in front of them.
Boston’s chief baseball officer Craig Breslow will have some big decisions to make over the next 48 hours. Many feel that the Red Sox cannot afford to sit on their hands and make zero improvements between now and Thursday. Acquiring Díaz wouldn’t be a guaranteed splash, but it would definitely show aggressiveness from Breslow and thus be a move supported by fans.
