Red Sox named best fit for two infielders at MLB trade deadline by ESPN

The Red Sox have some decisions to make when it comes to the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline. If they decide to add to their roster, ESPN named two players who they could target.

Jeff Passan tabbed Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña and Giants third baseman Matt Chapman as “best fits” for the Red Sox.

Here’s what Passan said about Peña:

“Peña has always been a plus defender at shortstop with a strong power/speed combo, but his feel for hitting and pitch selection comes and goes. He made the most of Daikin Park’s Crawford Boxes by leaning into power and pull/lift, and his 2025 baseball card stats ran hot with better-than-you’d-expect outcomes on balls in play fueling a 5.7 WAR season. Expect more years in line with his other WAR figures (2.7 to 3.3) for the next few seasons.”

Peña is batting .295 with six home runs and 21 RBI in 48 games. He’s eligible for arbitration in 2027 and set to become a free agent in 2028.

Passan believes Chapman’s contract, which will pay him $25 million annually through the 2030 season, will make it difficult for the Giants to trade him, even though the third baseman is “characteristically strong” offensively and plays above-average defense,

“Chapman has been an above-average offensive and defensive contributor for a full decade. His bat speed is actually up a bit since the first year measured in 2023, but his in-game power metrics (barrel, sweet spot, squared up, etc.) are falling off a bit, which is why his homers and isolated power are down,” Passan wrote. “That smells like a swing tweak (usually addressed in the winter, but sometimes during the season) could address that as the raw power is still there.”

The Red Sox’ infield depth has been tested this season.

The Red Sox have Trevor Story, Marcelo Mayer, Andruw Monasterio, Tsung-Che Cheng and Isiah Kiner-Falefa who have appeared at shortstop and/or third base for Boston in 2026. Story, Mayer and Kiner-Falefa are all on the injured list with various injuries, and it’s unclear when the trio will return.

• BETTING: For Tuesday’s matchup between the Red Sox and the White Sox, the over/under is set at 8.5 total runs on DraftKings. Our complete DraftKings Sportsbook review shows you how to sign up and use their app. Also, take a look at our Red Sox vs. White Sox prediction to view our expert takes.

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