Trades will be a key storyline for the Boston Red Sox this winter, whether they happen or not.
Despite some positive moments in their 81-81 season, the Red Sox ultimately struggled. Their roster construction played a significant role in this; the starting pitching depth was insufficient to last the full season, and the lineup was overly reliant on left-handed hitters.
With a strong influx of talented left-handed prospects on the way, Boston is well-positioned to leverage this depth. They recognize their need for pitching, and trading seems to be the most feasible option to acquire it affordably.
One left-handed hitter likely facing an exit is 25-year-old Enmanuel Valdez. The Opening Day second baseman spent the season moving between Triple-A and the major leagues.
Ryan Bunton of FanSided predicted on Monday that Valdez “won’t be back” in 2025, identifying him as a “strong candidate” for trade to help bolster the pitching staff.
“The Red Sox acquired 23-year-old second baseman Vaughn Grissom in the Chris Sale deal last offseason, and prospect Kristian Campbell just won Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year,” he noted. “There doesn’t seem to be much room for Valdez in the plans.”
Valdez, who was obtained alongside Wilyer Abreu in the 2022 trade with the Houston Astros for Christian Vázquez, has shown potential at the plate with a .686 OPS at the MLB level over 2023 and 2024, including 11 home runs in 50 Triple-A games this year.
However, his defense is a bigger concern, as he has recorded -12 outs above average in just 125 big-league games. His -8 this season ranked him among the bottom in MLB despite his limited appearances.
Given these factors, Valdez appears to be expendable for the Red Sox. If he’s included as a secondary piece in a trade, he could help land a decent starter. But if he’s the main focus of a deal, Boston would likely only receive a low-leverage reliever or a minor-league player in return.
It’s likely that Valdez will be traded this winter, but it will be up to Craig Breslow and the front office to secure a deal that maximizes the value of this unpredictable young hitter.
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