Red Sox Trade Talk: 10 Realistic Targets That Could Change Their Fortunes

The Boston Red Sox offseason moves are starting to slow down as they are almost at the cap for the luxury tax and the only way they can get someone of decent value for the 2012 season would be to trade.

What the Red Sox need to do is look around the majors and find some outfielders, relievers and back of the rotation starters just in case something happens to someone currently on their roster.

Someone like Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones might cost a pretty penny but could be worth it in the long run.

Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles

Adam Jones is probably the most expensive item on this list, but the Boston Red Sox probably need a speedy outfielder just in case Jacoby Ellsbury goes elsewhere after his contract ends.

Jones is one of the better outfielders in the American League in 2011 with a .280 batting average, 25 home runs and 83 RBI. He would make a great corner outfielder and also showed some speed with 12 stolen bases in 2011.

It may seem as if the Red Sox are done this offseason, but watch out for one more splash.

Tommy Hunter, Baltimore Orioles

Tommy Hunter is a pitcher who gives up the fly ball and with the Baltimore Orioles he finished 3-3 with an ERA over five.

The Boston Red Sox still need some long relievers and maybe a fifth starter and Hunter would fit that role perfectly and he would not cost that many prospects due to his subpar performance over the past couple of seasons with the Texas Rangers and Orioles.

Hunter also made less than half a million dollars in 2011, so he would not put them over the dreaded luxury tax limit, which is around $178 million.

Jeff Francoeur, Kansas City Royals

Who knows if the Kansas City Royals are shopping him around, but Jeff Francoeur is one of those outfielders who seems to just keep putting up numbers when he gets the playing time. In 2011, he batted .285 with 20 homers and 87 RBI.

The Boston Red Sox could use a right fielder like that who can put up solid numbers while having a salary under $3 million and being able to field the ball accurately with an above-average throwing arm. Also, he happens to bat right-handed, which the Sox need badly.

Aaron Crow, Kansas City Royals

The Boston Red Sox could use one more reliever in the bullpen and who better than Aaron Crow could be a solid inning eater when Mark Melancon and Andrew Bailey can not be used.

Crow finished his first season in the majors with a 2.76 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 62 innings pitched. His WHIP was at 1.39 and he dad have seven blown saves, but he is still a power arm that would only help the Red Sox bullpen.

Brian Duensing, Minnesota Twins

Brian Duensing is another long relief or fifth starter that the Boston Red Sox could acquire before the start of the 2012 season. He had his worst year as a pitcher with the Minnesota Twins in 2011 with a 5.23 ERA in 32 games played and his 28 starts.

Duensing is in his third year and still makes under $1 million, so the Twins may be able to trade him for cheap.

Coco Crisp, Oakland Athletics

Three speedy outfielders running around Fenway Park for the Boston Red Sox? Yes, that is what the Red Sox could use in 2012. Coco Crisp may have recently re-signed with the Oakland Athletics, but the A's are still looking for help with the offense and the Sox have some prospects they could trade to Oakland for Crisp.

Crisp may not have had the power numbers (eight home runs and 54 RBI in 2011), but he did steal 49 bases which was tied for first in the American League in 2011.

George Sherrill, Seattle Mariners

George Sherrill has always been a great lefty out of the pen and the Seattle Mariners should want to trade him to the Boston Red Sox for a couple prospects.

Sherrill finished 2011 with a 3.00 ERA in 51 games played with the Atlanta Braves. If he under performs with the Mariners, expect him to be wearing a Red Sox uniform in 2012.

David Murphy, Texas Rangers

The return of David Murphy as the fourth outfielder or the platoon option with Ryan Sweeney would help out the Boston Red Sox in 2012. A trade for him could be relatively cheap since they traded him to the Texas Rangers in 2007, but since he has played well that is not guaranteed.

Murphy never got the playing time he deserved with the Red Sox, but he would get adequate playing time in 2012 if he was traded back to the Red Sox in 2012.

Brad Hand, Miami Marlins

Brand Hand is a young hurler who would be great for the Boston Red Sox in the future, but the 2012 squad could live without him.

Hand finished the 2011 season with a 1-8 record and a 4.20 ERA. Sure, it was his first first year in the majors and that is why he has potential over the next several years as a quality fifth starter on any team.

Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants

The Boston Red Sox need a left out of the 'pen, and Javier Lopez used to pitch for the Sox until he was traded away after a 9.26 ERA in 2009. His ERA has been 2.72 or below since then, and he has shown that he can control his fastball now.

Lopez was a very important part in the Giants' bullpen in 2010 when they won it all and he would definitely be an asset to the Red Sox when he returns for the 2012 season.