​Francisco Lindor isn’t the blockbuster the Red Sox need at this year’s MLB trade deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.With the All-Star Break in full rest mode, the Red Sox have a few weeks to decide who they want to add at the trade deadline on August 3rd.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRight now, there’s multiple fans who want a new superstar for the roster, but some make more sense than others.Francisco Lindor© Yannick Peterhans / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesLooking at his last four seasons prior to this one, it makes sense why Francisco Lindor is an attractive trade candidate at first. In that span, he was an All-Star, won two Silver Sluggers, and was the runner-up NL MVP to Shohei Ohtani in 2024.He’s also a switch hitter with an additional four All-Stars, two Silver Sluggers, and two Gold Gloves from his Cleveland Indians days. However, this season might be the end of his chapter in New York, with the media pushing trade rumors about Lindor.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWith that in mind, Lindor does have a distinct base of Sox fans that want him at shortstop. However, the window for his prime seems to be shutting.Francisco Lindor© Wendell Cruz-Imagn ImagesLindor is now 32 years old, and his age might be finally catching up to him. This season, he’s only been able to play 40 games due to injury, and those 40 games haven’t been pretty.He’s slashing .216/.298/.373/.671 with three doubles, three triples, five home runs, and 12 RBI. His injury and these numbers plus five more years of a 10-year, $341 million deal might not help convince the Red Sox to pay a big bag of assets for him.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJames Wood© Brad Mills-Imagn ImagesRight now, if the Red Sox are buyers at the deadline, which is likely, there’s three positions they need to strengthen: catcher, DH, and shortstop. Jeremy Peña seems like a much better option than Lindor, as he’s younger, brings consistent offense, Gold Glove defense, and a swing made for Fenway.Another guy that’s building steam if the Sox are willing to pay is Washington Nationals two-time All-Star slugger James Wood. Although, if the Nats stay in the NL Wild Card mix by the deadline, as they are only four games out, there’s no chance they trade him.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn the other hand, if the Nats implode and are out of the playoffs, Wood could be available. And getting a guy who almost has 30 homers at the Break, who can hit to all sides of the field, would be perfect for Boston. Especially when pairing him in the lineup with Willson Contreras, the Sox’s offense could go from mediocre to supercharged.Overall, if the Red Sox are still within shooting distance of the Wild Card, they’ll need a bat. However, Lindor shouldn’t be their man, while someone like Peña or Wood should.MORE MLB NEWSRed Sox winning streak isn’t an indictment of Roman Anthony a