​Jeremy Peña could be the missing piece for the Red Sox as Boston climbs back into contention, originally published by The Sporting News. The Sporting News is listed here as a preferred source.
The Boston Red Sox are on a hot streak, winning 11 of their last 13 and sweeping three of four series, including two against division leaders. What looked like a long shot not long ago now has Boston just 2.5 games back of the final AL Wild Card spot. With the club so close to a playoff berth, selling isn’t a viable option. Instead, Boston should shore up one of its few weaknesses and add a reliable right-handed slugger in Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña.
This season has exposed a lack of a stable long-term answer at shortstop for the Red Sox. The club opened with Trevor Story, who posted a disappointing .206/.244/.303/.547 line before landing on the 60-day injured list for sports-hernia surgery. The slot was then filled by Marcelo Mayer, the touted future shortstop, who fared only a touch better with a .220/.282/.312/.594 line before suffering a bone stress reaction in his forearm. Currently, Boston has been forced to patch the position with lower-tier options, highlighting the need for a dependable upgrade.
Enter Peña. His swing seems tailor-made for Boston’s ballpark, with the ability to exploit the Green Monster for extra-base hits. This season Peña is hitting .295/.356/.443/.799 with nine doubles, six home runs, and 48 RBIs in 48 games. In Boston, he has shown better form, slashing .349 with two homers and five RBIs in 10 games. His Gold Glove caliber defense would be an immediate upgrade at shortstop, further stabilizing a defense that already shines. Even ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan has pegged Boston as one of Peña’s best potential fits.
Boston does possess the assets to entice Houston into considering a deal. Passan noted in his discussion of Peña that the Astros are seeking a left-handed slugging outfielder and some prospects to replenish their farm system. Boston can offer Jarren Duran, who fits the left-handed outfielder criterion perfectly, along with a crop of prospects to augment the deal—excluding Franklin Arias and Anthony Eyanson. Additionally, Boston could include Patrick Sandoval, who had a strong debut after returning from Tommy John surgery, addressing Houston’s pitching needs.
A deal between Boston and Houston would be mutually beneficial. The Red Sox would add a premier offensive and defensive performer at a key position, and Peña would give Boston a stabilized shortstop while potentially accelerating their push for a playoff run. For Houston, recouping a higher-upside outfielder and a package of prospects plus a veteran pitcher could help marshal their own competition for a postseason berth.
Boston’s path to August relevance may hinge on shoring up the middle infield, and Peña represents a compelling fit both offensively and defensively. If the two clubs can work out the right structure, a Peña-to-Boston arrangement could become a pivotal turning point in this season’s pennant race.