The Boston Red Sox are expected to make a significant move ahead of Monday’s MLB trade deadline. Specifically, they’re perusing the market for a shortstop upgrade, according to multiple reports.
They’re currently rolling with Andruw Monasterio at shortstop while Trevor Story and Marcelo Mayer continue to work their way back from injury. It’s a glaring position of need even if and when the duo returns, given their underwhelming performances this season.
So, which shortstops are being shopped around with the deadline looming? Jeremy Peña (Houston Astros), CJ Abrams (Washington Nationals) and Elly De La Cruz (Cincinnati Reds) were fun names to throw around, but they reportedly won’t be moved this summer. That leaves just a handful of impactful options for Craig Breslow and Co. to choose from.
Here are four potential shortstop trade targets for Boston with the Aug. 3 deadline looming:
Otto Lopez, Miami Marlins
ESPN’s Buster Olney reported earlier this week that the Red Sox have expressed interest in Lopez, who’s in the midst of a breakout season with Miami. The 27-year-old leads MLB in hits (138) and doubles (27) while ranking second behind only San Francisco Giants infielder Luis Arraez in batting average (.329).
Lopez’s success has been one of the best stories of the 2026 season. The Toronto Blue Jays designated him for assignment before the 2024 campaign and sold his contract to the San Francisco Giants. A few weeks later, the Marlins picked Lopez up off waivers.
That move paid immediate dividends for Miami as Lopez produced a 2.8 bWAR in 117 games during the 2024 season, then a 3.6 bWAR in 2025. This year, though, he has taken his game to an All-Star level.
Lopez’s hit, double, and stolen base (22) totals already mark career highs. He has also shown some pop at the plate with nine homers and an .853 OPS, which would shatter his previous high (.690 in 2024).
A plus defender, Lopez can make the switch to second base if necessary. So if Boston holds on to top shortstop prospect Franklin Arias, he and Lopez would form a scary middle-infield tandem for years to come.
Lopez is under team control through 2029.
Zach Neto, Los Angeles Angels
Neto is a coveted shortstop at this deadline because of his right-handed power. The 25-year-old notched 23 homers in 2024, 26 in 2025, and he has 19 so far this year. His swing would play well at Fenway Park.
He’d be an upgrade over Boston’s current shortstop options, but Neto has his own red flags. His high strikeout rate (31.3 percent) is chief among them, along with his below-average defense (-8 Outs Above Average). Moving him to second base wouldn’t be a simple solution, either, as he has exclusively played short in his four-year MLB career.
According to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe, the Angels want Arias in any deal for Neto, who’s under contract through 2029.
Francisco Lindor, New York Mets
The lowly Mets are expected to sell off several key pieces this summer, and Lindor could be one of them despite his bloated contract. The 32-year-old is owed about $170 million over the final five years of his deal.
This season has been a rough one for Lindor, who missed time due to a calf strain. Through 52 games played, he’s slashing .226/.316/.412 with eight homers and 23 RBI. He earned his fifth career All-Star nod last year, however, so he may still have plenty left in the tank.
For the Mets to find a trade partner, they’ll likely have to eat most of Lindor’s contract or take on another bad contract in any deal. It’s more likely he’s moved in the offseason, but he’s among the few semi-realistic options out there for Boston if he waives his no-trade clause.
Willy Adames, San Francisco Giants
Speaking of bad contracts with no-trade clauses, the soon-to-be 31-year-old Adames is in the second season of his seven-year, $182 million deal with the Giants.
Through 103 games played, Adames is hitting .228/.282/.428 with 18 homers and 45 RBI. The power is still there, but the defense is not. He’s been among MLB’s worst defensive shortstops this year with -12 OAA.
It wouldn’t come without risk, but acquiring Adames would probably be the easiest route for Breslow in his search for a slugging shortstop. San Francisco seems desperate to move on from him, and he certainly wouldn’t cost the prospect haul that would be required in a Lopez or Neto deal.
Adames could benefit from a change of scenery, and as a right-handed slugger who pulls the ball often, Fenway Park could be a perfect match.
