Could the Boston Red Sox be preparing for more major trades?
The acquisition of Garrett Crochet was a key move for Boston this offseason, and their trade for Mickey Gasper in exchange for Jovani Moran was also an interesting minor deal. If the Red Sox continue to focus on strengthening their pitching staff through trades, it seems more likely that bullpen reinforcements will be targeted rather than starting pitchers. While Boston currently has at least six reliable rotation options, there is still uncertainty about who will take on the role of closing out games.
One potential trade target for the Red Sox could be Andrés Muñoz, the closer for the Seattle Mariners. Despite Seattle’s desperate need for offensive upgrades, they have been hesitant to part with any of their young and talented starting pitchers. As a result, they could be open to trading Muñoz, particularly as they already have a strong pitching staff.
T.J. Morin from the Sporting News recently suggested that Muñoz could be a good fit for the Red Sox’s bullpen, potentially shoring up the backend of their relief corps. As Morin pointed out, Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto has a history of trading away high-profile closers, such as Edwin DÃaz, who has become an elite closer for the New York Mets. With plenty of strong pitching options already in their system, the Mariners might be willing to part with Muñoz in exchange for offensive help.
Muñoz, who was named an All-Star in 2024, has been dominant for the past three seasons, posting sub-3.00 ERAs and averaging over 12 strikeouts per nine innings. His impressive repertoire includes a 100-mph sinker and a devastating slider. Currently, he is in the final guaranteed year of his arbitration extension, earning $3.4 million in 2025. Additionally, the Mariners have three club options remaining on his contract, valued at $24 million through 2028, providing the Red Sox with some flexibility in how they manage the deal.
While a direct Yoshida-for-Muñoz trade might not be ideal, a package centered around Wilyer Abreu could appeal to the Mariners. If Seattle is particularly interested in Abreu, the Red Sox could explore the possibility of adding a prospect to the deal, making it an option they should seriously consider.
