The Boston Red Sox are in a delicate position as they navigate the 2026 MLB trade season. With a 27-35 record, they are still in the running for the AL wild card slot, but the team is also considering a strategic shift if they fall out of contention. The focus is on adding right-handed hitting to the roster, and Connor Wong, a right-handed hitter with a .264 batting average this season, is a key player in these discussions.
Wong's performance has been a rollercoaster. After a breakout 2024 season, where he hit .280 with 13 home runs, he struggled last year due to a pinkie finger fracture and a subsequent slump. However, this year, he has rebounded with a .264 batting average, outperforming his teammates Carlos Narvaez and Mickey Gasper. The situation is intriguing, as Wong's value is tied to his ability to perform against right-handed pitchers, which has been a strength this season.
The Red Sox have a unique challenge. They have three catchers, and while Narvaez is the best defender, Gasper has been a bright spot offensively. The team has depth at the position, with former big leaguers Jason Delay and Matt Thaiss at Triple-A. This depth could allow them to trade Wong, who is in the first of his three arbitration years, for a more immediate need. The catch is that catcher is a thin position, and trading a starting-level catcher in-season is rare.
The early stage of the season and the parity in the American League make the trade landscape complex. Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow acknowledged the industry-wide trend of teams having confidence in their rosters but also facing challenges. The Red Sox are in a position where they have to balance their desire to add right-handed hitting with the need to maintain a strong bullpen, which has been a key strength this season. Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Whitlock, and Justin Slaten are highly valued, and trading them would be a significant move.
If the Red Sox decide to sell, they will have plenty of trade chips, but the question remains: is Wong the odd man out? His performance this season has been a positive, but the team's focus on right-handed hitting and the depth at catcher could make him a tradeable asset. The Red Sox are in a delicate dance, trying to add to their roster without sacrificing their strengths. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the team's direction and the fate of players like Wong.
