Red Sox Trade Rumors: 5 Possible Moves That Would Rattle the Yankees

The MLB Trade Deadline is less than a week away, and it's no surprise that the midseason hot stove is at its boiling point.  Rumors involving top MLB players are all over the place and not surprisingly, the fans are biting their nails in anticipation.

One team that has been brought up in numerous rumors are the Boston Red Sox, who are currently in first place in the AL East and in their usual fight to the death over said spot with my beloved New York Yankees.  Both teams have certain needs and over the course of the week, should get into bidding wars over certain arms or bats who could be available.  Given the talented prospects both GMs have to offer, it could get ugly.

Yet, let's say for a moment that Yankees GM Brian Cashman decides to stand pat (Cash, if you're reading this, don't get any ideas!).  That gives Red Sox front office wizard Theo Epstein a boatload of opportunities to make a big deal and thus sink the Yankees' battleship.

Here are five potential trades the Red Sox could make that could send Yankees fans into a frenzy.

No. 5: Red Sox Trade for Hiroki Kuroda

Red Sox Receive: Hiroki Kuroda

Dodgers Receive: Cash, Drew Sutton, Ryan Kalish/Daniel Nava

This trade is an interesting one not only because of the players involved, but because of the Dodgers being in full sell mode due to their horrific financial situation.  Team owner Frank McCourt has more or less run the team into the ground, so he will eventually need to part with some of his more valuable players.

Pitcher Hiroki Kuroda is one of the priciest members of the Dodgers, coming in with a $11.7 million salary.  Given how the Dodgers will probably be forced to gut themselves and rebuild from the ground up, the effective righty will be on a new team within the next week.

Despite the 36-year-old's 6-12 record, he is not a bad pitcher by any means.  He has proven that he can keep hitters at bay with his 3.19 ERA and his record is the result of poor run support.  With the Yankees' high powered offense nipping at their heels, the Red Sox could use a man like Kuroda in the middle of their rotation.

The only thing potentially holding up this deal is Kuroda's no-trade clause, which he has reportedly stated he would invoke if an East Coast team attempted to acquire him.  Just the same, Yankees fans would go into anxious-mode if this Japanese import ended up in Fenway Park.

No. 4: Red Sox Trade for Hunter Pence

Red Sox Receive: Hunter Pence

Astros Receive: Jose Iglesias, Felix Doubront, Chih-Hsien Chiang

Hunter Pence is another interesting trade chip because like Kuroda, he is on a team that is undergoing an ownership change.  Astros GM Ed Wade is looking to keep his job by trimming payroll for incoming owner Jim Crane and with Pence's $6.9 million salary, the All-Star outfielder is the team's best asset.  Yet, like most top players, Pence won't come cheap.

The whole reason that Wade is even considering trading Pence is so that he can bring in top prospects to help rebuild the Astros from scratch.  The Red Sox have a boatload of young minor league talent and to land a big bat like Pence's, they just might have to part with some of said talent.

This trade satisfies both teams' needs and were it to happen, Yankees fans would cringe a the Red Sox acquiring a well-balanced hitter who could absolutely clean house in the hitter-friendly Fenway Park.

No. 3: Red Sox Trade for Ubaldo Jimenez

Red Sox Receive: Ubaldo Jimenez

Rockies Receive: Kyle Weiland, Jed Lowrie, Che-Hsuan Lin

Ubaldo Jimenez is the type of pitcher Red Sox fans dream about having.  He has deadly strikeout ability, a high groundball rate and most importantly, doesn't give up a lot of runs.  Even better, he does so consistently.

Just why the Rockies are shopping Jimenez, I have no clue.  Yet, GM Dan O'Dowd has said the righty will cost any interested team a pretty penny.  Definition: at least two top-prospects.

The likelihood of this trade happening is up in the air, but this is how I see it going down if Epstein decides to pull the trigger.  The Red Sox receive a top pitcher in Jimenez, and at the same time dump some potential dead weight in Lowrie, who may become expendable what with Jose Iglesias waiting in the wings.

Throw in pitching prospect Kyle Weiland and outfielder Che-Hsuan Lin for good measure, and this deal has Yankees fans shaking in their boots.

No. 2: Red Sox Trade for Felix Hernandez

Red Sox Receive: Felix Hernandez, Michael Saunders

Mariners Receive: Josh Reddick, Felix Doubront, Ryan Lavarnway, Clay Buchholz

Now, before all of you start writing the hate mail, I implore you to hear me out.  I'm fully aware that the odds of this trade actually happening are slim to none, but you have to admit that it's definitely one worth a great deal of consideration.

Yes, the Red Sox lose two top prospects in Reddick and Lavarnway as well as a top pitcher in Buchholz, but just look at who they get in return!  Felix Hernandez is a pitcher who could become an absolute superstar in Boston with his stuff.  I'm talking multiple 20-win seasons, people.

The price for him may seem steep, but as the old saying goes, one must spend money to make money.  In this case, making money means winning a ton of games with King Felix leading the pitching staff.

Were this trade to go down, Yankees fans would do one of two things: either storm the front office with torches and pitchforks or curl up into a fetal position and start crying.  As a Yankees fan, I'm praying that no Red Sox executives are reading this slide.

No. 1: Red Sox Trade for Carlos Beltran

Red Sox Receive: Carlos Beltran

Mets Receive: Jose Iglesias, Junichi Tazawa, Ryan Kalish

The odds of this trade happening, ESPN's Buster Olney reported, are a "total long shot," according to Red Sox team management.  Theo Epstein wants to focus on pitching as the team's outfield already seems to be set.  On top of that, Beltran has stated his preference to remain in the National League.

Still, one can't help but think Beltran would be an incredible acquisition for the Red Sox.

Think about it.  Beltran is a switch hitter who is dangerous from both sides of the plate and Fenway Park is one of the most hitter-friendly stadiums in all of baseball.  Just imagine Beltran using that extremely short porch in right field to smack home run after home run.  On the opposite side, think of all the balls he could launch over the Green Monster.

However, as I have mentioned before, Mets GM Sandy Alderson is playing hardball during negotiations and demanding top notch talent in exchange for the All-Star outfielder.  Thus, if the Red Sox were to make this trade, it would cost them more than one top prospect.

Still, if it meant having a definitive edge over the Yankees, then Theo Epstein would surely pull the trigger.  Once this trade was official, Yankees fans would watch the remaining games with extremely heavy hearts.