Red Sox Trade Idea Lands 2.41 ERA Closer

Red Sox Trade Idea Lands 2.41 ERA Closer originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Boston Red Sox have a few areas to address at the trade deadline. The question is, where will they turn their attention?

Previously viewed as a wasteful season, the Red Sox have flipped the script and enter the second half on a 10-game win streak. Boston has boosted its record to 53-45, just one game behind the New York Yankees and just three games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for the American League East lead.

One potential target is Baltimore Orioles closer Félix Bautista, who could be on the move, especially considering their lackluster 43-52 record.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic wrote this about Bautista’s availability:

“The Orioles… are listening on closer Félix Bautista, who is under club control for two additional seasons. A source briefed on the team’s plans, however, said it was unlikely [Bautista] would be traded.”

While Baltimore may not ship its top reliever to a division rival, the Red Sox have so many prospects that they could make an irresistible offer. It would have to look something like this:

Red Sox receive: RHP Félix Bautista

Orioles receive: RHP Richard Fitts, OF James Tibbs III (No. 5)

Bautista did miss all of 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he has bounced back nicely with a 2.41 ERA, a 3.17 FIP, 18 saves, and 48 strikeouts to 20 walks over 33 and 2/3 innings.

Fitts (4.28 ERA, 5.19 FIP) has had his moments in his first full campaign as a starting pitcher for Boston, and sacrificing him would seriously strain this starting rotation. The Red Sox would have to rely on either bullpen games or Tanner Houck, who is still not back from the injured list, to erase the absence.

Tibbs was the main prospect return from the San Francisco Giants in the Rafael Devers trade and would make for another tantalizing piece on that young Baltimore crew.

The price is steep, but Bautista is elite, and there is no telling what pending free agent Aroldis Chapman might do after the season.

Related: Red Sox 'Asking Around' About 26-Year-Old Angels 3.90 ERA Starter

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.