Red Sox's Top Players to Target and Avoid at 2024 MLB Trade Deadline

After finishing 78-84 and ending up in the AL East cellar last year, the Boston Red Sox have exceeded expectations this season and entered the All-Star break as one of the hottest teams in baseball.

A better-than-expected starting rotation was the key to their early success, and while breakout ace Tanner Houck continues to deal and Kutter Crawford looks like the real deal, the team could still use another playoff-caliber starter.

The bullpen would also benefit greatly from the addition of another proven late-inning option to get the ball to Kenley Jansen in the ninth inning.

Ahead we've highlighted two players they should target and one they should avoid as a quick overview of how they might approach this year's trade deadline.

Target: RHP Erick Fedde, Chicago White Sox

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 10: Erick Fedde #20 of the Chicago White Sox delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 10, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

After flaming out with the Washington Nationals as a former first-round pick, Erick Fedde spent the 2023 season pitching in the KBO where he won MVP honors and reshaped his approach on the mound.

He returned stateside on a two-year, $15 million deal with the Chicago White Sox during the offseason and his success overseas has carried over to a strong 2024 campaign, going 7-3 with a 2.99 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 99 strikeouts in 111.1 innings over 19 starts.

His team-friendly $7.5 million salary for next year makes him extremely valuable, and that is the type of addition the Red Sox should prioritize.

This year's team has exceeded expectations, but they are still far from a lock to even reach the postseason. That makes mortgaging prospect talent for a rental starter in a seller's market an approach they should avoid.

Target: RHP Carlos Estévez, Los Angeles Angels

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ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 13: Los Angeles Angels pitcher Carlos Estevez (53) pitching during an MLB baseball game against the Seattle Mariners played on July 13, 2024 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

While a rental starter might not be in the Red Sox best interest, there is a case to be made for adding a rental reliever since that is generally the profile of the vast majority of relievers on the move at the deadline.

Carlos Estévez has thrived in the closer role since joining the Los Angeles Angels on a two-year, $13.5 million deal prior to last season. The 31-year-old saved 31 games and earned his first All-Star selection last year, and he has a 2.61 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 9.0 K/9 with 17 saves in 20 chances so far this season.

Slotting him in the eighth inning ahead of closer Kenley Jansen would shorten games and improve the entire Boston relief corps with everyone shifting back an inning.

Avoid: LHP Tyler Anderson, Los Angeles Angels

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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 14: Tyler Anderson #31 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches in the bottom of the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on June 14, 2024 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Veteran Tyler Anderson was an All-Star for the second time in three years after posting a 2.97 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 118 innings, bouncing back from a rocky first season with the Los Angeles Angels a year ago.

However, he looks like a potential regression candidate during the second half.

The 34-year-old has a less-than-stellar 4.60 FIP backing his strong ERA, and his .228 batting average on balls in play and 83.2 percent strand rate both look unsustainable relative to his career marks and the league average.

If he were to regress, his $13 million salary for next year could go from roughly market value to a huge payroll drain, so steering clear and pursuing other rotation additions is the Red Sox best move.