Both the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox entered the season with high expectations — the Tigers coming off their first playoff appearance in a decade, and the Red Sox with a “Grade A” offseason that reshaped their roster. However, both teams have gotten off to slow starts, each holding a 2-4 record after Wednesday’s games.
If you’d like, I can help you look further into their struggles or any updates!
Now, the Tigers and Red Sox might find another point of common ground. They could potentially make a mutually beneficial trade that addresses needs for both teams.
It seems like there could be an opportunity for both sides to strengthen their rosters. If you’re interested, I can dive deeper into possible trade scenarios between the two teams!
The outfield is where both teams face challenges, but in opposite ways. The Tigers are dealing with a shortage, as three outfielders—Parker Meadows, Matt Vierling, and Wenceel Pérez—have all been sidelined with injuries since spring training, and their return dates remain uncertain.
In contrast, the Red Sox might have the depth to offer some help in that area, given their own outfield setup. A trade could be a smart move for both teams to address these needs.
The Red Sox, in contrast, have such an abundance of outfielders that they were forced to send MLB’s top-ranked prospect, Roman Anthony, down to Triple-A Worcester. A potential trade, as predicted by Fansided’s Katrina Stebbins, could free up a spot for Anthony in Boston, at least as a backup outfielder.
This trade could be a win for both sides: the Tigers could benefit from the Red Sox’s surplus, while Boston could create room for their promising prospect.
At the same time, this move would provide the Tigers with a reliable and cost-effective outfielder to hold the fort until their injured trio is able to return. It’s a strategic way to address their current outfield shortage without breaking the bank.
The proposed deal would send backup outfielder Rob Refsnyder to Detroit, a player who, according to Stebbins, “probably deserves more reps.” Refsnyder could provide the Tigers with the depth they need while also getting a chance to play more regularly.
“Trading Refsnyder could be the perfect solution for the Red Sox to clear space for No. 1 prospect Roman Anthony, who seemed poised to break camp at various points throughout spring training. Refsnyder would also be a bargain; he’s owed just $2.1 million this year and will hit free agency at the end of the season,” Stebbins wrote.
This trade would allow the Red Sox to elevate their top prospect while giving the Tigers a cost-effective outfielder to help with their current injury issues.
Refsnyder is particularly valuable against left-handed pitching. Last season, he posted a .943 OPS when facing southpaws, compared to a .733 OPS against right-handed pitchers. His split makes him a strong asset for the Tigers, especially if they need someone to handle lefties while their injured outfielders are out.
The Red Sox would likely not expect a significant prospect in return for Refsnyder, as they would effectively gain one by promoting Roman Anthony to take Refsnyder’s roster spot. This would allow them to clear space for their top prospect while getting something useful in return for the trade.
If the Red Sox wanted a prospect from Detroit’s top 25, 19-year-old Rookie League right-handed pitcher Zach Swanson could be a fit. He would help bolster the Red Sox’s somewhat thin pitching pipeline, though he’s likely a long-term project who wouldn’t be ready for the big leagues until the end of this decade.
