Red Sox's Top Hypothetical Trade Targets for Early Season Shakeup

The Boston Red Sox are off to a solid start this season thanks in large part to an unexpectedly excellent starting rotation, and if they continue to hang around as contenders into the summer the offense will likely be the focal point of any trade deadline maneuvering.

Specifically, the team is in serious need of middle infield help.

With Trevor Story on the injured list once again and guys like Vaughn Grissom, Ceddanne Rafaela, Emmanuel Valdez, Romy Gonzalez and David Hamilton providing little offensive production up the middle, adding at least one quality veteran piece at second base or shortstop could be their top priority.

Ahead we've highlighted one blockbuster target, one logical target, and one low-cost target the Red Sox could explore.

Blockbuster Target: Willy Adames, Milwaukee Brewers

Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Willy Adames

The Milwaukee Brewers have not been shy about trading away veteran pieces, even when they are in the thick of contention.

The Josh Hader trade to the San Diego Padres at the 2022 deadline is a perfect example, and they also moved Corbin Burnes this past offseason despite coming off a 92-win season and division title.

Shortstop Willy Adames is a free agent this coming offseason, and odds are he will be headed for greener pastures on the open market. With an impressive collection of young infielders that includes Brice Turang, Joey Ortiz and Tyler Black, an Adames trade would open the door for more playing time for those guys.

Adames, 28, has a 124 OPS+ with 11 doubles, seven home runs, 29 RBI and 1.3 WAR in 42 games, and he would be a candidate to be extended by the Red Sox.

Logical Target: Amed Rosario, Tampa Bay Rays

John Fisher/Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 30: Amed Rosario #10 of the Tampa Bay Rays up to bat during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on April 30, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

The Tampa Bay Rays are off to a rocky start this season with a 21-22 record and minus-31 run differential through their first 43 games. By comparison, they were 32-11 and sitting in first place in the AL East standings at this same point a year ago.

A full-blown fire sale is unlikely, but they will no doubt be opportunistic with their upcoming free agents if things don't turn around in the coming months.

Amed Rosario signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal during the offseason following a disappointing 2023 season, but he was not far removed from being a 4.2-WAR player in 2022 with the Cleveland Guardians.

The 28-year-old is hitting .300/.315/.429 with 11 extra-base hits and five steals in 37 games, and he has started multiple games at second base, shortstop, third base and in right field.

Outside-the-Box Target: Vidal Bruján, Miami Marlins

David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 24: Miami Marlins shortstop Vidal Brujan (17) throws a baseball back to the pitcher during the Wednesday evening MLB game between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves on April 24, 2024 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

"The entire team is up for grabs," one rival executive told New York Post MLB insider Jon Heyman of the Miami Marlins following the Luis Arraez trade.

One piece that could be of interest to the Red Sox is young infielder Vidal Bruján.

The 26-year-old is not far removed from being a top prospect in the Tampa Bay Rays system, appearing on the Baseball America Top 100 prospect list four years in a row from 2019 through 2022.

He entered the season with a .157 average in 272 plate appearances in the majors and squarely on the roster bubble since he is out of minor league options.

He is off to a nice start so far, hitting .259/.326/.407 for a 107 OPS+ in 89 plate appearances, and he has significant experience playing both middle infield spots. He also comes with club control through the 2028 season.