The Boston Red Sox are riding a wave of momentum that few saw coming. But with the MLB trade deadline looming, one glaring weakness threatens to derail their surprising surge. Well, you know how these things go – just when everything seems perfect, reality hits. The Red Sox have a massive hole at first base that needs filling, and they’re looking at their division rivals for the answer.

Want to guess where Boston’s front office is casting its eyes? Yes, Tampa Bay’s Yandy Díaz. He has risen to the top of the target list, and honestly, we can see why. The 33-year-old Cuban bat carries a price tag of $24 million for the next two seasons, but for a club that is very suspect at bringing in some right-handed power while needing some shore defense at first, he is exactly what the doctor ordered. Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas has a ruptured left patellar tendon that requires season-ending surgery, leaving Boston scrambling with makeshift solutions all season long.

MassLive’s Chris Cotillo has the inside scoop on what Red Sox decision-makers are really thinking, and surprise – Díaz is sitting pretty at the top of their wish list. “If the Rays do what they always do, and trade players getting close to free agency, someone like Yandy Díaz could be available,” Cotillo revealed. Here’s the kicker though – “he’d be high on the wish list of some Red Sox decision-makers.” Tbh, it makes sense when you consider Craig Breslow’s emphasis on finding immediate contributors rather than long-term projects. Want to know why Boston’s front office is so smitten?

Well, Díaz is quietly putting together another stellar campaign with a .285 average, 15 home runs, and 53 RBIs – numbers that would instantly solve Boston’s first base headache. The defending AL batting champion from 2023 isn’t just about the stats though; he brings that clutch veteran presence that playoff teams desperately need.

With Triston Casas sidelined for the season with a ruptured patellar tendon, Boston’s scrambling for answers at first base, and Díaz represents exactly the kind of a proven commodity that championship runs are built on. His contract runs through 2027, making him far more than just a rental – he’s a cornerstone piece for Boston’s future ambitions. But while pursuing their division rival’s star first baseman, the Red Sox front office shouldn’t overlook another compelling option that could quietly transform their rotation.

Red Sox may have found their budget-friendly ace

Díaz is supposed to be that big splash, at first base, that Boston needs. Yet sometimes, the high-impact deals are the ones made largely away from the public spotlight. Enter Charlie Morton, whose ties with Alex Cora from their time in Houston could make the reunion feel almost fated. The veteran right-hander’s explosive storyline of comeback storyline is similar to a remake of the Boston season resurrection.

Morton’s $15 million contract with Baltimore suddenly looks like a bargain after his dramatic transformation. Following that nightmarish 10.89 ERA start, his 3.05 ERA over 59 innings proves Morton’s far from finished at 40 years old. He’d slot seamlessly into Boston’s rotation as their third or fourth starter, providing exactly the depth Craig Breslow has been desperately seeking.

Ken Rosenthal highlighted Morton as a cost-effective solution compared to premium pitching targets this trade season. For a team already pushing their prospects in potential deals, this approach makes perfect financial sense. The familiarity between Cora and Morton from their championship days in Houston adds another layer of comfort to what screams low-risk, high-reward acquisition.

The beauty lies in simplicity – sometimes the best trades aren’t the flashiest ones. Morton has quietly reemerged as Baltimore’s most intriguing trade chip despite their nine-game deficit. For Boston, adding a proven veteran with championship experience could be exactly what their young rotation needs heading into October baseball.