At this point, it would be a shock if the Boston Red Sox didn’t invest in this year’s club and buy at the MLB trade deadline. After spending much of the season in last place, they’ve miraculously won 19 of their last 21 games to climb into a playoff spot and put the American League on notice.
So, who should chief baseball officer Craig Breslow target in trade talks? A big bat should be the clear priority, as Boston’s offense has been among the league’s worst for most of the year. Finding one for the right price will be a challenge, but it’s a necessity if the Red Sox hope to sustain their remarkable turnaround and make a deep postseason run.
Multiple sluggers have been linked to the Sox with the Aug. 3 deadline looming. Washington Nationals first baseman Luis Garcia Jr. is a rumored target, and we assessed his fit with the club. Next up is Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic ignited the Goodman-to-Boston rumors with an interesting trade idea. The Sox would send left-hander Connelly Early, top pitching prospect Kyson Witherspoon, young infielder Marcelo Mayer, and catcher Carlos Narvaez to Colorado in exchange for Goodman. This hypothetical deal has sparked debate on social media over whether Goodman is worth such a haul.
So, should the Red Sox pursue a trade for Goodman? Let’s explore the possibility:
Right-handed power
Goodman profiles as the perfect fit for this year’s Red Sox club as a fearsome right-handed slugger. The 26-year-old reached 30 home runs on the season with a three-homer game against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. Only Kyle Schwarber and Yordan Alvarez have hit more homers (33) than Goodman so far this year.
Any time a Rockies slugger is discussed, it’s a requirement to check their home/road splits. In Goodman’s case, the numbers are actually better on the road (18 HR, 33 RBI, .964 OPS) than at Coors Field (12 HR, 23 RBI, .791 OPS). It’s fair to assume he’d continue to put up impressive numbers at the hitter-friendly Fenway Park.
This has been Goodman’s best season thus far, but he isn’t a one-year wonder. Last season, he totaled 31 homers and 91 RBI with an .843 OPS in 141 games with Colorado. That’s the kind of production Boston has lacked — and still desperately needs — in the middle of its lineup.
Where does he fit?
Goodman would immediately slot in as the Red Sox’ starting catcher, meaning either Connor Wong or Carlos Narvaez would be the odd man out. Regardless, Goodman would be a tremendous upgrade — at least offensively.
His defense is average at best, but let’s not get too greedy. Goodman’s upside at the plate far outweighs his shortcomings behind it.
Contract situation
Goodman is making $810,000 this season and will become arbitration-eligible this upcoming offseason. He’s under team control through the 2029 campaign.
What would he cost?
A lot.
Bowden’s trade idea (Connelly Early, Kyson Witherspoon, Marcelo Mayer, and Carlos Narvaez for Goodman) is a good example of what the Rockies could ask the Red Sox for in a potential deal. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic added that the Rockies are looking for “multiple high-end prospects” in return, so guys like breakout left-hander Jake Bennett and Boston’s top pitching prospect Anthony Eyanson could also be discussed.
Verdict
Make the move.
Goodman is exactly what the Red Sox need, and he’ll anchor the lineup as a perennial 30-plus-homer threat beyond 2026. He’s the type of player they should be willing to give up the farm for, especially their young arms given their organizational pitching depth.
