​ESPN’s Jeff Passan has joined NESN in reporting that the Boston Red Sox could be exceptionally active before MLB’s trade deadline, though the moves may unfold differently than fans initially expect. With the season not going as hoped, Boston is likely to position itself as a seller, aiming to convert veteran talent into future assets that could help the club contend again starting next year. In a piece published on Thursday, Passan highlighted three Red Sox players as potential trade targets, suggesting that Willson Contreras, Aroldis Chapman, and Garrett Whitlock could be on the move.
Passan identifies Contreras as a “dream match” for the Seattle Mariners, who are seeking a right-handed power bat to boost their lineup. He also notes that Contreras has a no-trade clause, which complicates the potential deal because the catcher would have to be willing to move to Seattle. Describing the fit, Passan writes that Contreras has been among the top hitters in baseball this season, and that adding him to an already crowded first-base/DH situation in Seattle would present significant strategic challenges for Mariners manager Dan Wilson. The combination of enhanced offense and the difficulty of managing playing time and egos, along with Contreras’ ability to block trades, makes this an idealistic scenario that could be hard to realize.
For Chapman, Passan’s strongest candidate to be moved is surprisingly the Miami Marlins. The Marlins’ bullpen already features a number of capable right-handers, including Pete Fairbanks, Anthony Bender, Lake Bachar, Tyler Phillips, Michael Peterson, Calvin Faucher, and rookie William Kempner, leaving left-handed specialist John King as the lone lefty flourish in the bullpen. Bringing Chapman into Miami would inject the team with high-leverage depth and right-handed power that the bullpen would benefit from, especially since King’s repertoire does not match Chapman’s occasional ceiling. While Chapman remains a premier reliever, his impact is often magnified for teams that are contending, which aligns with a Marlins push toward the playoffs.
When it comes to Whitlock, Passan points to the Pittsburgh Pirates as the best fit. He notes that Pittsburgh’s current appetite to win now is understandable after years of gradual rebuilding. The Pirates’ injured roster and the pressing need to balance future value with current performance may push them toward considering bullpen upgrades on multi-year contracts. Passan emphasizes that acquiring Whitlock would hold substantial value for a team in the pennant race, given Whitlock’s consistency and reliability as a relief option. He also mentions Luke Weaver of the Mets as another potential target for Pittsburgh, underscoring the broader landscape of possible deals around Whitlock.
Passan’s analysis also emphasizes that both Contreras and Whitlock carry value primarily for teams that are in the hunt for immediate success, whereas Chapman’s value is heightened for clubs aiming to fortify their late-inning relief corps as they push toward October. With the Red Sox positioned to be sellers, the market could yield interesting returns that help reshape the franchise’s competitive window in the near future. For fans, the prospect of upgrading the organization’s pipeline while potentially recouping veteran talent offers a path toward retooling and sustained competitiveness in the seasons ahead.
For readers seeking more Red Sox updates, NESN and ESPN remain credible sources to monitor, including current coverage of the 2026 Red Sox schedule and roster, as well as ongoing trade chatter and prospect notes. If you’re tracking trade rumors and want to stay informed about which players might move and what teams could be interested, keeping an eye on Passan’s reporting alongside local outlets will provide a well-rounded view of the evolving market before the deadline.