1 Red Sox player who must be traded to fix underperforming roster

The Boston Red Sox are clearly at a critical point in the 2026 season. There may be some apologists who look at the team’s 12-18 record and will say “it’s still early” and the team will rebound to its past form. But the Red Sox management has already acknowledged that something is missing because manager Alex Cora has already lost his job.

Perhaps management is trying to put the blame on their former manager, but that is not going to get the job done. The Red Sox have brought in Triple-A manager Chad Tracy to take over the leadership duties because he has had relationships with many of the young players on the team. Tracy managed Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, Ceddanne Rafaela and others when they played at Worcester, and he could create a positive environment.

He can also change the lineup construction that was used by Cora, because that was clearly not working. The Red Sox won their first two games under Tracy before losing Tuesday night to the Toronto Blue Jays. The team’s lack of hitting has been the biggest problem to this point and that may not change until roster moves are made.

Red Sox have at least one key trade asset

It’s difficult to pinpoint any one player who has a chance to bring back a key player or two in a trade. Boston’s young duo of Anthony and Mayer represent the heart of the team’s future. They would probably bring the greatest return, but there is no way they would trade either one at this point.

The most valuable trade asset appears to be Jarren Duran. He was the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player two years ago because he combines blazing speed with clutch hitting.

He led the American League with 48 doubles and 14 triples in 2024 while slashing .285/.342/.492 with 21 home runs and 75 runs batted in along with 34 stolen bases. It was clearly a breakout season for one of the most exciting players in the American League.

While he did not produce the same way last year, he led the AL in triples with 13 while bashing 16 home runs and driving in 84 runs. He continued to flash his speed with 24 stolen bases.

Like many of the Red Sox, he is off to a poor offensive start in 2026. However, his speed and overall explosiveness make him the most valuable trade asset on the Boston roster. If the Red Sox can complete a trade of Duran for a solid power hitter, it could get the team moving in the right direction.

They could also consider trading outfielders Masataka Yoshida and Wilyer Abreu. Yoshida has been a part-time player for the Red Sox and he would not bring much in return. The Red Sox see Abreu as a legitimate power hitter who could hit 30 home runs and play stellar right field, so it’s unlikely they would trade him.

Red Sox made their bed with offseason lethargy

General manager Craig Breslow had a chance to give the Red Sox a much stronger and more productive batting order in the offseason. The Red Sox were expected to be in the market for a slugger like former New York Met powerhouse Pete Alonso and as the days and the weeks of the offseason went by, Red Sox fans were hoping to hear that Alonso had inked a deal with the Red Sox. Instead, Alonso got a better offer from the Baltimore Orioles and he signed with that American League East rival.

The Red Sox never made a significant move for Kyle Schwarber, either. Schwarber had played part of the 2021 season in Boston as a trade-deadline acquisition and loved playing at Fenway Park. The Red Sox never brought him back despite his explosive power.

Finally, Alex Bregman had been one of the keys to last year’s playoff appearance with his clutch hitting and leadership, and he was expected to come back to the Red Sox even though he opted for free agency. His leadership skills in the clubhouse had been cited throughout the season, and it didn’t seem likely that the Red Sox would let him slip through their grasp.

Yet that’s just what happened as the Chicago Cubs made him a better offer and the Red Sox management team was not desperate enough to keep him in the fold. They may not admit it, but that decision has hurt the team badly.

Ownership has had major impact

Those who follow the team closely know that it’s not fully on Breslow. The Red Sox have gotten traded or failed to sign multiple players since their last World Series triumph in 2018.

The Red Sox have traded Mookie Betts, let shortstop Xander Bogaerts go and also traded third baseman Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants when the team mishandled the Bregman signing. Keeping his star players in Boston is apparently not a priority for owner John Henry.

Instead of building off their strong core of players, the Red Sox have largely dismantled the team since their last World Series title.

Trading Duran might be one positive step if Boston received a power hitter in return, but it is just one step. Clearly, much more would be needed.

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