The Boston Red Sox have a power problem—and one MLB insider believes the solution could be a blockbuster trade for Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez.
Through the first 35 games of the season, first baseman Willson Contreras leads the team with just seven home runs. That lack of pop has contributed to Boston sitting in fifth place in the AL East, and a rough May or June could push them toward selling at the trade deadline. But FanSided's Chris Landers argues that shouldn't stop the Red Sox from making a franchise-altering move.
"On the contrary: If Alvarez is available, Boston would pretty much have to make a serious run at him," Landers wrote. "He's exactly the sort of big bopper this lineup desperately needs, and he's under team control through 2028 on a pretty affordable deal."
Alvarez, a 182-home run MVP candidate, battled injuries in 2025 and was limited to just 48 games. But when healthy, he's been nothing short of dominant. This season, he's hitting .333/.438/.667 with 12 homers and a 1.105 OPS—numbers that scream superstar.
What makes a potential deal even more intriguing is Boston's farm system. The Red Sox boast one of the deepest pitching prospect pools in baseball, which is exactly what the Astros would demand in return for a player of Alvarez's caliber. Landers suggests a package built around lefty-swinging outfielder Jarren Duran—a fan favorite in Boston—plus a couple of young arms could be enough to get Houston's attention.
"Plus, the Red Sox farm system has as much pitching depth as anybody this side of the Dodgers," Landers added. "Throw in a lefty-swinging outfielder like Jarren Duran in addition to a couple bright young arms, and maybe you've got something."
Duran's speed and energy make him a tough player to trade, but Boston has a crowded outfield. If they're serious about adding a game-changing bat like Alvarez, they might have to part with a fan favorite to make it happen.
For a team looking to reignite its offense, a move for Alvarez could be the spark the Red Sox desperately need—and the kind of trade that reshapes a franchise for years to come.