Boston needs dependable pitching reinforcements. These three trade targets offer controllable upside and strategic fits for a serious postseason run.
As July 31 looms, Boston finds itself in possession of a strong lineup and a hot streak, but a thin pitching staff threatens postseason success. ESPN insiders Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel list the Red Sox among the “best fits” for several pitchers, including Sandy Alcantara, Merrill Kelly, and Ryan Helsley, who match Boston’s needs and timelines.
These arms offer a mix of frontline upside, rentals with playoff potential, and high-leverage bullpen upgrades. With Craig Breslow expected to buy, here are three realistic, high-impact trade targets who could help Boston finish strong and contend deep into October.
Red Sox Top Deadline Pitching Targets
Sandy Alcantara (RHP, Marlins)
Once a Cy Young winner, Alcantara is still a high-upside arm despite a bounce-back year from 2023 surgery. Controlled through 2025—with a possible club option—the sinker-heavy righty brings frontline projection. Boston would likely rotate him into midseason starts, providing playoff-caliber innings. The Marlins appear open to listening on rentals, making Alcantara a plausible, short-term addition with a long-term payoff.
Sandy Alcántara has a 2.74 ERA in June and will only get better as the year goes on.
The big thing also is he’s not a free agent after this season.
Pull the trigger, Friedman pic.twitter.com/o4eSW33OJY
— Cody Snavely (Canelo) (@SnavelyCody6) June 28, 2025
Merrill Kelly (RHP, Diamondbacks)
Kelly offers impressive consistency: a 3.34 ERA and reliable innings from the NL West. Affordable and well-traveled, he’s an ideal mid-rotation stabilizer for contenders. Control runs into 2025, allowing Boston flexibility. Arizona, struggling in the NL, is a likely seller; Kelly represents a low-risk, high-reward add.
Didn’t realize how nice of a trade chip Merrill Kelly is. 116 IP, 3.34 ERA, 3.47 FIP in 20 GS. pic.twitter.com/gllBmj2UNU
— Sam Fosberg (@discussbaseball) July 15, 2025
Ryan Helsley (RHP, Cardinals)
With elite velocity and a powerful strikeout arsenal, Helsley fits Boston’s bullpen priority. The former All-Star is controlled through 2025 and would allow for a dominant late-inning tandem alongside Aroldis Chapman. St. Louis is expected to negotiate as they retool, and Helsley offers the kind of high-leverage, short-term boost Boston craves for October success.
Ryan Helsley (1IP 1H 0R 0BB 1K) worked a scoreless inning of relief in the @Cardinals loss to the Diamondbacks. His slider was our RP Pitch of the Day and is one of our highest rated pitches of the season! pic.twitter.com/I94rDixdxA
— Baseball Prospectus (@baseballpro) July 21, 2025
Prospects the Red Sox Could Move
Wikelman Gonzalez (RHP, Double-A)
Once a breakout name in Boston’s system, Wikelman Gonzalez has the type of upside teams covet in mid-tier trade packages. His fastball sits mid-to-upper 90s with above-average spin, and he pairs it with a sharp curveball that misses bats.
While command issues have slowed his rise, he’s still just 22 and owns a 3.95 ERA with 72 strikeouts over 57 innings at Double-A Portland in 2025. Gonzalez could be a headliner in a deal for a controllable bullpen arm like Helsley or part of a package for a mid-rotation starter.
Wikelman Gonzalez with a 3U/3D 2K 6th. #Knights pic.twitter.com/Se4nOycPiG
— FutureSox (@FutureSox) July 10, 2025
Yoeilin Cespedes (SS, Single-A)
Cespedes is one of the most exciting young infielders in Boston’s lower minors. At just 18 years old, he’s already showcasing advanced bat control and solid pop, slashing .292/.358/.447 with 17 stolen bases in Single-A Salem.
His quick hands and developing approach at the plate project him as a high-ceiling shortstop or second baseman. Cespedes would appeal to teams like Miami or Arizona looking to build up their middle-infield pipeline with long-term upside.
A game-tying moonshot off the bat of Yoeilin Cespedes! 💥 pic.twitter.com/S2Hb7BHmSK
— Red Sox Player Development (@RedSoxPlayerDev) July 21, 2025
Blaze Jordan (1B/3B, Double-A)
Known for his light-tower power as a teenager, Jordan has grown into a more well-rounded hitter in Double-A. He’s batting over .280 with modest pop and improving plate discipline, and while his defensive fit is likely limited to first base, he’s the type of bat-first prospect who could headline a mid-tier return. Jordan could be a centerpiece in a deal for someone like Merrill Kelly.
Blaze Jordan since his call-up to Worcester:
37G/147AB
.286, 5 HR, 1 3B, 10 2B, 21 RBI
9 BB, 17 K pic.twitter.com/ovxsGInTze— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) July 21, 2025
| Target | From | Boston Sends | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandy Alcantara | Marlins | Top‑50 LHP prospect + mid‑A arm | Front‑end upside; rental with Cy Young pedigree |
| Merrill Kelly | Diamondbacks | Double‑A SP + bench bat prospect | Reliable innings, cost‑controlled starter |
| Ryan Helsley | Cardinals | High‑A reliever + 2026 pick | Elite high-leverage weapon, controlled through 2025 |
Boston’s success this season depends on pairing its offense with dependable pitching depth. Alcantara offers rotation upside, Kelly provides consistency, and Helsley plugs into late-game situations flawlessly. With Breslow eyeing opportunistic buys, these three represent Boston’s best shot at building a true October-caliber roster.
