Red Sox Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz on Boston's Potential Deals

The Boston Red Sox are prime candidates to be major players at the trade deadline.

According to Adam Kaufman of Boston.com, vice president and assistant general manager Mike Hazen said last week that his club is going to be “fairly aggressive” and “evaluating all opportunities” in the days leading up to the deadline.

For a team that is contending but possibly still a few pieces away from locking up a World Series run, making the right move or two this week will be crucial.

Let’s take a look at the latest buzz surrounding Beantown in Friday’s rumor roundup.

Peavy on the Radar

The Red Sox are emerging as contenders for White Sox right-handed pitcher Jake Peavy, per Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.

Heyman noted that—as originally thought—Boston’s pursuit of Peavy would likely depend on the health of Clay Buchholz.

The star pitcher has missed a few weeks with neck problems but should be healthy when all is said and done. Peavy hasn’t been the model of health, as he recently returned from a rib injury.

Red Sox management will need to make a decision soon, as the St. Louis Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks are two of the numerous other suitors that have expressed interest in Peavy’s services.

The veteran hurler is in the first year of a new two-year contract and could be a great asset come the postseason.

Crain Too

The Red Sox scouts in attendance at the White Sox games to catch Peavy have also been dying for a chance to check out reliever Jesse Crain, according to Mark Gonzalez of the Chicago Tribune.

The right-handed veteran with a 0.74 ERA and 46 strikeouts this season will no longer require a trip down to the minors to rehabilitate an injured right shoulder, which has greatly increased the buzz and interest surrounding him.

Crain could be rejoining the team over the weekend, and his first appearance since a stint on the DL will be closely watched by potential trade partners.

If he can get healthy, Crain could be a top-notch addition to the Red Sox bullpen.

Sox Interested in Hochevar

The Kansas City Royals aren’t supposed to be players at the trade deadline, but that hasn’t stopped the Red Sox from dispatching a scout to follow the rival club.

According to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the need for another arm in the bullpen has led the Sox to right-handed pitcher Luke Hochevar.

The 29-year-old veteran is currently making $4.56 million and will likely be the player Kansas City tries to flip to a bigger market to play for a contender this summer.

Hochevar has been pitching well and would be an ideal setup man coming out of the bullpen in Boston.

While it seems unlikely, perhaps the persistence of the Red Sox brass will convince the Royals to give him up.