The Boston Red Sox are the will-they/won’t-they team this trade deadline. It’s for good reason. The Red Sox have already struck a deal to send third baseman Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants, and the team looked dead in the water. That was until they rattled a 10 game winning streak off just before the All-Star break. That streak catapulted them to above .500 and right in the middle of a crowded Wild Card picture. The team needs upgrades, and who might be the Red Sox trade partner this deadline?
The Red Sox need to have pitching at the top of their list. While their offense has held their own without Devers, the rotation has shown cracks post All-Star break and all season long. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Red Sox have gone looking for exactly that. They’ve checked in on right-hander Dylan Cease of the San Diego Padres.
Red Sox Trade Partner San Diego Padres
The Padres find themselves in a similar situation to the Red Sox. Crowded postseason pictures make it difficult to find upgrades. However, the Padres could use some offense or prospects, and trading Cease on an expiring contract makes a lot of sense as they look to chase down the Los Angeles Dodgers or hold onto the third Wild Card spot in the National League.
The Padres are listening on Dylan Cease, with the Yankees, Mets, Cubs and Red Sox among teams believed to have checked in. SD is a buyer but often listens on rentals. Major long shot!
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 23, 2025
But does this make sense for a Red Sox trade partner?
The Red Sox Fit
This past offseason, the Red Sox signed Walker Buehler to a one-year deal to help plug a hole in their rotation. It was said that they were sniffing around at a potential Cease trade then.
They’ve relied on the likes of Lucas Giolito, Buehler, Richard Fitts, and Hunter Dobbins to fill out their rotation. Right-hander Brayan Bello has seemingly found his groove this season behind the ever-dominant Garrett Crochet, but there are still plenty of question marks.
Cease, however, might not be able to answer that question mark.
While a rental isn’t the worst thing the Red Sox could do, Cease has only shown flashes of dominance, and this team sorely needs a solid No. 2 starter behind Crochet. Cease sits at a 4.64 ERA this season with an ERA+ that’s below average at 90. While his expected stats make some think there’s more under the hood, the Red Sox have been dealing in question marks the past few seasons, and they need something of a guarantee.
As we approach the trade deadline, the Red Sox will need to find some upgrades to help bolster their team or risk another year of mediocrity. The team may be willing to deal from their outfield surplus, but will it be enough to help bolster the team down the stretch?
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