After 101 games, the Boston Red Sox are one game out of a playoff spot and just two games out of the second Wild Card spot.
With the MLB trade deadline just days away, the Red Sox are looking to improve their roster in hopes of making a push for the postseason over their last 60 games or so.
On Thursday, the Tampa Bay Rays traded outfielder Randy Arozarena to the Seattle Mariners, signifying that they'll be selling at the deadline, and Boston should be making calls to their division rival.
While the Rays are in fourth place in the AL East at the moment, they still have some talented pieces who could help the Red Sox for the last months of their 2024 campaign and potentially beyond.
With starting pitcher and right-handed bat being Boston's two biggest needs, three names pop out that they could target - right-handed pitcher Zach Eflin and infielders Isaac Paredes and Amed Rosario.
RHP Zach Eflin
Eflin, 30, was originally drafted by the San Diego Padres in the first round of the 2012 draft. He was traded to the Dodgers in 2014 and a day later was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Eflin pitched with the Phillies for seven seasons before signing with Tampa Bay in 2023. This year, he's posted a 4.09 ERA (3.65 FIP) and a 1.164 WHIP while striking out 87 batters. He also has a year left on his contract, which should be enticing to the Red Sox.
IF Isaac Paredes
Paredes, 25, was signed by the Chicago Cubs as an international free agent in 2015. He was traded to the Detroit Tigers in 2017 and debuted with them in 2020. After two seasons in Detroit, he was traded to the Rays.
This season, Paredes is an All-Star, hitting .250 with a .797 OPS, 16 home runs and 55 RBIs. He has three more years of team control, so he could fit in Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow's plan of improving for the present and future.
IF Amed Rosario
Rosario, 28, was signed by the New York Mets as an international free agent in 2012. He debuted with the Mets in 2017 and was traded to Cleveland in 2021 and then again to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023. He signed with the Rays this year.
In 73 games this season, Rosario has hit .311 with a .751 OPS, two home runs, 26 RBIs and nine stolen bases. He's only on a one-year deal, so he might not help beyond this year, but that would make him less expensive in a trade.
