The Red Sox may be closer than ever to landing another All-Star ace — but how real are their chances? Rumors are flying once again around Boston's front office, and if chief baseball officer Craig Breslow wants to strengthen his rotation, the trade market might just hold a few intriguing possibilities. But here's where it gets complicated: not every dream target is actually available, even if insiders believe the Red Sox are quietly preparing to pounce.
According to ESPN insiders Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel, who unveiled their list of the top 25 offseason trade candidates, Boston could be in the mix for two of the most coveted pitchers on the board. The first — and perhaps most obvious — is Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal. His name has surfaced repeatedly this offseason for one reason: he’s one of baseball’s most dominant arms.
Passan and McDaniel identified the Red Sox, Yankees, Dodgers, Orioles, and Giants as logical landing spots for Skubal. However, the insiders added an important caveat — there’s only about a 10% chance Detroit actually moves him. Despite widespread belief among executives that Skubal could be traded, the Tigers appear unwilling to part ways with the reigning back-to-back American League Cy Young winner. Even though extension talks have gone nowhere and Skubal is set to hit free agency after 2026, Detroit reportedly views him as the cornerstone of their roster and intends to compete again next season.
Skubal’s numbers in 2025 speak for themselves. At 29 years old, he captured his second consecutive Cy Young Award, leading the league with a dazzling 2.21 ERA. He also topped the AL with 7.6 WAR and an impressive 0.89 WHIP, while finishing behind only Boston’s Garrett Crochet in strikeouts, racking up a career-best 241 punchouts. Clearly, Skubal isn’t just good — he’s elite.
The other name that could turn Boston’s offseason upside down is Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan, who ESPN ranks as the No. 6 trade candidate this winter. The Red Sox front office already knows this name well — they tried, and failed, to acquire him before the 2025 trade deadline. This time, insiders believe the odds may be better. ESPN assigns a 50% likelihood that Ryan gets moved and lists the Red Sox among the teams best positioned to make a serious offer, alongside the Orioles, Giants, Mets, Rangers, and Astros.
Passan and McDaniel explained that, while the Twins didn’t come close to trading Ryan last July, the situation could change if free-agent pitching prices remain high. In that case, Minnesota could find itself fielding calls from just about every contender looking to plug holes in their starting rotation. The Twins, armed with several attractive trade chips, might see this as an ideal starting point for a mini-rebuild.
Ryan, also 29, delivered a career year in 2025 with a personal-best 3.42 ERA and a matching 13 wins. He logged 171 innings — the most of his career — striking out 194 hitters and posting a 4.5 WAR. Those steady, reliable numbers make him the kind of arm that could give the Red Sox both stability and upside.
Now, it’s important to note that starting pitching isn’t necessarily Boston’s biggest need right now. After all, they recently completed a deal for veteran Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals. But while Gray brings valuable experience, at age 36 he may not be the long-term No. 2 option the team needs behind Crochet. That’s why adding Skubal or Ryan could transform Boston’s rotation into one of the league’s most dangerous tandems.
Here’s the question that has fans divided: should the Red Sox double down on another big pitching trade, or focus their resources somewhere else — maybe on offense or bullpen depth? If it’s a short-term push for a championship, trading for a top-tier ace makes sense. But if they’re building for sustainable success, is the cost in young talent too steep?
Baseball insiders agree on one thing — Boston is back in the thick of the rumor mill, and big moves could be coming. Do you think chasing an ace like Skubal or Ryan is worth the gamble, or should Breslow stand pat and trust the current rotation? The debate is heating up — where do you stand?
