Could Red Sox Make Inter-Division Trade For Reunion With Fan Favorite Slugger?

The Boston Red Sox have surpassed expectations with an 18-14 record, good for third place in the American League East.

The team currently stands just a 1/2 game out of the AL Wild Card picture and could quite reasonably make up ground when some of their significant pieces return to action off of the injured list.

If the club remains in its current position, it would be reasonable for Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow to consider buying at the trade deadline -- despite all odds. One team that could be looking to sell after a shockingly disappointing start would be the 15-17 Toronto Blue Jays.

"(Blue Jays) free agents after this season include Yusei Kikuchi, Justin Turner, Kevin Kiermaier and Danny Jansen -- mostly complementary parts," The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal wrote Friday. "But their free agents after 2025, hoo boy. Chris Bassitt. (Bo) Bichette and (Vladimir) Guerrero. Jordan Romano and a number of other relievers. A reckoning is nearly at hand."

If Toronto is in position to sell and Boston remains competitive, a trade involving designated hitter Justin Turner could be in play.

Masataka Yoshida is on the injured list and surgery reportedly could be in play. Should he or first baseman Triston Casas remain out for the long haul, Turner would be an ideal fit.

The 39-year-old is hitting .298 with 12 extra-base hits including four home runs, 15 RBIs and a .887 OPS (156 OPS+) in 29 games since departing from Boston.

Turner is on a one-year, $13 million deal that includes $1.5 million in incentives -- making him a relatively easy contract to move should the Blue Jays fall further out of contention. Considering the fact that a 16-year veteran will not be part of the organization's long-term plans, Toronto will be incentivized to capitalize on his strong start by moving him for a prospect or two.

As for the inter-division aspect of the deal, that would not provide much of a barrier in this instance -- as the Blue Jays do not have to worry about dealing their asset to a rival long term. The last time the Red Sox made a deep playoff run, they acquired first baseman Steve Pearce from the Blue Jays to bolster their roster -- which led to the newcomer capturing the 2018 World Series MVP.

In that instance, the Red Sox got a key short-term piece that aided their championship run and the Blue Jays acquired second baseman Santiago Espinal, who made an All-Star game for Toronto in 2022 and was a quality contributor for parts of four seasons for them.

It's unlikely that both seasons continue on their current trajectory -- the Blue Jays are one run away from getting back into the mix while the Red Sox continue to be decimated by injuries -- but if both clubs stay on course, a swap could be made, bringing the one-season wonder back for a second stint.