MLB Insider Floats Trade ‘Name To Watch’ At Position Red Sox Pursuing

The Boston Red Sox are among the numerous contenders seeking upgrades before Thursday’s MLB trade deadline. Options are relatively limited at one position of interest.

Boston’s lineup is percolating, scoring 21 combined runs in two wins over the Minnesota Twins. Yet the Red Sox could pursue a first baseman to help restore some power lost by moving Rafael Devers earlier this season.

An MLB insider mentioned a long-shot option whose name hasn’t appeared much on the hot stove. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi called Tyler Soderstrom a “name to watch” on Thursday.

Morosi brought up Soderstrom while discussing reports of the A’s moving another promising young player. After that segment, the AL West club sent star relief pitcher Mason Miller to the San Diego Padres for a prospect haul led by 18-year-old shortstop Leo De Vries.

Morosi wondered if Padres general manager A.J. Preller could also try to acquire Soderstrom alongside Miller. That didn’t happen, but could another team take his idea and see if the A’s are willing to sell another prominent piece?

Soderstrom opened the season at first base before shifting to left field to accommodate Nick Kurtz. The star rookie should lock down first for the foreseeable future in Sacramento and Las Vegas, so it could make sense to explore Soderstrom’s trade value.

The 23-year-old is batting .255/.330/.449 with 19 home runs this season. His production hasn’t wavered away from the hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park, but the left-handed slugger has steep handedness splits (.856 OPS vs. RHP, .498 OPS vs. LHP). That wouldn’t be a problem for the Red Sox, who could keep deploying Romy González against southpaws.

Soderstrom also has a .949 OPS when playing first base compared to a .679 OPS at left field. Maybe he’s just cooled down from a hot April, but the demands of learning a new defensive position could also be affecting his offensive production.

Time is ticking toward Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET trade deadline.