Red Sox top trade deadline need revealed amid renewed postseason hope

The Boston Red Sox are 12 games back in the AL East and 4.5 games back in the AL Wild Card. But, with a little over a month to go until the MLB trade deadline, the Red Sox may wind up as trade deadline buyers.

They swept the New York Yankees in a four-game series and seem to have some renewed hope for a postseason bid during the 2026 season. Of course, it's not likely, nor a guarantee, but it's a lot more feasible now than it was before.

So, if the Red Sox are buyers, what could they actually add to improve the team? Well, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, the Red Sox's top trade deadline need was revealed to be middle infield amid the team's Trevor Story and Marcelo Mayer problems.

Red Sox top trade deadline need is middle infield help

"The Red Sox have the lowest OPS in the AL at both second base (.619) and shortstop (.600), so an upgrade at either spot would help Boston in its quest to return to the playoffs," Feinsand writes.

While Boston might not even wind up as a deadline buyer, and could still be the biggest seller of the August 3 trade deadline, if they do buy, middle infield is their top need by far.

The rotation is great, and the bullpen has been solid. Willson Contreras has been great at first base, the outfield is still solid, and the catcher rotation has worked well enough. Also, Caleb Durbin is finally coming into his own.

But, for the middle infield, whether it's Story, Mayer, or the other backup options thrown into the mix, it's clear they need some help.

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Story has a .206 batting average and a .547 OPS this season, and he's been on the injured list since the middle of May. Mayer has a .220 average with a .594 OPS and is also on the IL, though only for a few days at this point.

Adding a new shortstop at the deadline might be a bit tricky with a lack of great options, but Luis Arraez of the San Francisco Giants would be a fantastic rental trade pickup to add a second baseman with surprisingly good defense and elite contact skills.

CJ Abrams might be the dream deadline pickup, but the Washington Nationals aren't likely to trade him this summer.

Seeing the Red Sox in trade talks, not as a seller, but as a potential buyer, is a lot more exciting in comparison to what the vibe was just a week ago. If they do buy, the top need is middle infield help, as Mayer and Story haven't been close to good enough this season.

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• Giants are ‘hopeful ‘ they can trade Matt Chapman by MLB deadline
• Giants are 'pessimistic' they can trade Rafael Devers or Willy Adames
• Twins' Byron Buxton trade update is bad news for Phillies, Braves