Editor’s Note: I am currently writing this from Cooperstown. I was granted media credentials for the whole induction weekend. Look out for some cool pics!
The Boston Red Sox's 15-game win streak has taken the team from sellers to buyers. And if recent reports are true, they are AGGRESSIVE buyers.
As of July 24, Boston is 52–49, third in the AL East and holding the American League’s third Wild Card by two games. On June 24, the Sox were 32–46 and six games out; the franchise-record-tying 15-game winning streak changed the entire deadline conversation.
The streak changed the standings, not the roster. Boston still lacks power at important positions, and desperately needs some pitching help to alleviate their young stars (Tolle, Early, Bennett)
Craig Breslow must improve this team without treating one torrid month as permission to torch the farm. So who are they targeting? Well, these are apparently the top targets.
Zach Neto
CJ Abrams
Shea Langeliers
Freddy Peralta/Casey Mize
The first three have been heavily reported on, while the Peralta/Mize angle is something that Hagen and I spoke about on the last The Skippers View Podcast.
I have reached out to a few people about the search for pitching depth; I will wait to report back on that. So again, let’s break down the biggest needs which those above players should fill.
1. Dependable starting pitching. A reasonably priced rental works (Peralta); a top prospect should move only for a starter controlled beyond 2026.
2. A controllable right-handed middle infielder. A right-handed hitter who can exploit Fenway and play the middle infield is Boston’s ideal fit. This is structural roster balance, so it can justify serious prospect capital—but only for real impact and multiple years of control. (i.e Abrams or Neto)
3. Catching and bench depth. Connor Wong and Carlos Narvaez have shown their offensive ability. It is lackluster. Boston needs a better floor and injury insurance.
ZACH NETO
The Angels are open to proposals; Boston continues to view Neto as a strong fit, and the Red Sox have seemingly pursued him and Mike Trout in the past. Angels interim general manager John Mozeliak is open to moving controllable players for the right offer.
Through July 23, he has 19 homers, 13 steals and a .238/.326/.446 line with a 114 wRC+.
On paper, he would be great at Fenway. Neto’s right-handed pull power belongs near the Green Monster. Story can move to second when healthy; Mayer could enter the second- or third-base mix if retained.
At this point, Kristian Campbell is working exclusively as an outfielder in Triple-A, while Tsung-Che Cheng and Andruw Monasterio could continue to provide depth off the bench.
Now the warning label. Through July 23, Neto’s strikeout rate is 31.5 percent. Statcast lists a .203 expected average and .402 expected slugging percentage, below his actual marks, while his hard-hit rate has fallen from 46.6 percent in 2025 to 39.4 percent in 2026. He is also at minus-8 Outs Above Average at shortstop.
Now, Neto is not a rental; Boston would get 3.5 years of control. So, the asking price is going to be high, and I don’t really know what the package would look like. Here are the ones I am seeing
Option 1:
Red Sox Receive- Zach Neto
Angels Receive- Mikey Romero and Kyson Witherspoon
Option 2:
Red Sox Receive- Zach Neto
Angels Receive- Marcelo Mayer and Juan Valera
I have seen Anthony Eyanson in some mock trades. Boston will be hesitant to give up Eyanson, as he has a lot of upside, and while Neto or Abrams would be great, they do have Trevor Story returning eventually, as well as Franklin Arias on the horizon.
I don’t think those deals are enough, and it is very likely they would need to throw in another prospect to get it done.
CJ ABRAMS
I still don’t understand why the Nationals are so keen on selling CJ Abrams. I guess you could argue they are selling high and they see Eli Willits coming up the pipe as their future. I don’t know, but I do know that he could fit in Boston.
Abrams has consistently put up 3.3 bWAR over the last four years. This year, he has already accumulated 3.8 over 99 games.
Like Neto, this would not be a rental. Boston would have control of Abrams for 2.5 years. Unlike Neto, I think the asking price is going to be higher for Abrams. Some outlets are putting Connelly Early into mock trades, but I can't see the Red Sox doing that.
Here is what I saw that makes the most sense.
Red Sox get: CJ Abrams
Nationals get: Marcelo Mayer/Mikey Romero + Kyson Witherspoon + Justin Gonzalez.
SHEA LANGELIERS
The Shea Langeliers news is hot off the presses as Boston is apparently “salivating” over the idea of him behind home plate.
It is without a doubt the biggest hole Boston has. With Franklin Arias, Trevor Story, Marcelo Mayer, Mikey Romero, etc, there are plenty of in-house players that could theoretically fill the role that Abrams or Neto would come for. (Obviously they haven’t, which is why Boston is shopping, but still.) However, there is no reinforcement when it comes to catcher.
Again, this isn’t a rental, and you would be looking at a big package here to get the 2.5 years of control for Langeliers. Hitting catchers are a dime a dozen, and Boston would need to pay big.
Boston Red Sox receive:
C Shea Langeliers
Athletics receive:
LHP Connelly Early
RHP Kyson Witherspoon
C Carlos Narváez
You can swap about Narváez for another prospect if you want. There just isn’t a world where the A’s are willing to part with Shea and not get Early or Bennett.
Freddy Peralta or Casey Mize
Both Peralta and Mize are rentals, so I will keep this quick. Mize is having a very good season; Peralta is not. Peralta has a higher ceiling, but we haven’t seen it.
Boston is desperate for some pitching depth to help them keep Tolle, Bennett, and Early fresh. It does not look like Crochet is returning in 2026, so this is the price you pay. Thankfully, it is not a super high price.
Boston Red Sox receive:
RHP Casey Mize
Detroit Tigers receive:
RHP Marcus Phillips
RHP Tyler Uberstine
OR
Boston Red Sox receive:
RHP Freddy Peralta
New York Mets receive:
INF Mikey Romero
RHP Tyler Uberstine
This is going to be very fluid over the next couple of days, so expect a blog out of me by early next week with some updates. Until then, keep an eye on all the Cooperstown stuff I will be posting.