MLB Insider Pitches Red Sox Trade Deadline Blockbuster Deals

With ten days until the July 31 MLB trade deadline, the rumors are flying fast and furious. Two are coming from The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, who pitched a pair of blockbuster trades involving the Boston Red Sox.

Bowden published a story Monday with “the latest intel I’ve received in conversations and texts with front office executives from all 30 teams and other people in the game.”

From information he gathered, Bowden tossed out a three-team deal which would bring the Red Sox a fresh arm for the starting rotation.

“Perhaps (the Padres) could try a three-way trade with the Marlins where Boston would land Edward Cabrera from Miami, the Padres would get (Jarren) Duran and the Marlins would get prospects from both Boston and San Diego,” Bowden wrote. “The Sox are building for the short- and long-term. Expect them to buy at the deadline with starting pitching and first base their priorities.”

It’s no secret Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow wants to beef up the starting rotation for the stretch run. Cabrera is 3-4 with a 3.61 ERA in 16 starts this season. But he comes with a history of injuries and has never thrown more than 99 2/3 innings in a single season.

On the plus side, Cabrera is making just $1.95 million this year and has three years of arbitration eligibility remaining.

Of course, the Red Sox are shopping for a bat as well. Bowden thinks that could lead to the Red Sox striking a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.

“The Red Sox would love to land first baseman Yandy Díaz from them and the Astros would like to acquire second baseman Brandon Lowe,” Bowden wrote. “Both have 2026 team options. Tampa could trade one or both in contender-to-contender type swaps that could work in the short- and long-term for their organization.”

Diaz, 33, is hitting .294 this season with 15 home runs and 57 RBIs. Two years ago, he led the American League with a .330 batting average, helping him earn an All-Star nod and Silver Slugger Award.

Diaz is making $12 million this season. Tampa Bay already picked up the $12 million club option for 2026 and added a conditional $10 million club option for 2027. According to Spotrac, Daiz’s 2027 salary vests at $13 million with 500 plate appearances next season.