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May 31, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Jarren Duran (16) celebrates with first baseman Mickey Gasper (30) after hitting a home run during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
The Boston Red Sox have been one of the worst offensive teams in the Majors this season, sporting a .695 OPS as of Thursday morning.
That ranks 25th in baseball and is a significant reason for their struggles in 2026. Willson Contreras leads the club with 16 home runs, and Jarren Duran is the only other hitter with more than 10.
The Athletic's Jim Bowden wrote Thursday that the Red Sox will look for offensive upgrades at the trade deadline, but there's a catch.
"The Red Sox are looking for offense in all of their trade discussions at this point and are open-minded in terms of what they have to deal," Bowden wrote.
Boston's front office likely understands that this is not a championship roster as currently constructed. But they aren't out of the postseason race just yet.
If the Red Sox fall completely out of the race by the end of July, they should be open for business.
"If they don’t legitimately jump back into the race between now and the end of July, however, they could become one of the trade deadline’s best sellers," Bowden added. "With a starting pitcher like Sonny Gray, a closer like Aroldis Chapman, and an outfielder like either Jarren Duran or Wilyer Abreu, they could make significant deals to rebuild the organization."
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The Red Sox could prioritize adding prospects and/or players that are close to the Majors if they deal players like Chapman and Duran.
Chapman's success on the mound during his tenure as Boston's closer could command the best return package.
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